To others in Wisconsin, Northwestern Wisconsin may seem like it’s home to a scattering of rural communities in farm country. But, for St. Croix County, were we live, that could be farther from the truth. Neighboring the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro, St. Croix County’s population is one of the fastest growing counties in the state. According to the Department of Administration, the county is protected to grow 41 percent to 119,010 by 2040, making it fourth to first place Dane, followed by Brown and Kenosha Counties, which are home to the Madison, Green Bay and Milwaukee metro areas, respectively (New Richmond News, 2014).  

Increase in population in our area translates to sprawling communities of Hudson, New Richmond and River Falls, as well as increase in the number of people moving to the country on their own little piece of acreage. While this growth is good for the local economy, it also contributes to fewer of our residents having connections or understanding of agriculture and rural life. This divide presents both opportunities and challenges when it comes to working with our local decision makers, neighbors and fellow community members who live in our county’s larger communities.  

This trend is part of the reason I attended the Wisconsin Farm Bureau IGNITE Conference, which focused on Policy, Issues, Advocacy, Governance and Organization, Building Farm Bureau and Communicating for Agriculture and Farm Bureau.  This conference offered an opportunity to draw on resources and information, so I can continue to advocate for agriculture as a farmer, community leader and through Farm Bureau in my county. It's up to us in agriculture and rural communities to have conversations, do outreach efforts and tell our own farming story right in our own community.

In addition to hearing from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Sheila Hardsorf, I also attended sessions on agricultural education and outreach programs, political trends impacting the fall state and national elections, tips for working with local media and strategies to work with local issues in our communities.

Here’s an article from The Country Today, which highlights the conference, including a few of my own comments: Read the article here.

You may know what I’m talking about.  There’s a major divide within agriculture, whether it’s large vs. small, organic vs. traditional, grass-fed vs. grain fed, and so on.  I admit there are a lot of layers to this issue. Some of it has been fueled by food marketing and by consumers who want to know how their food is produced.  And, I think the later fact is a good thing. That’s what we’ve been working to accomplish with programs like Ag in the Classroom and outreach through local FFA chapters.  But, we need to do more to come together in agriculture.

So, what can be done to unite our agricultural community internally? This is a big issue that will take time and work from many of us in our day-to-day lives and work in agriculture. For me it has been about:

• Walking the talk:  As I tell my own story as a farmer, I do it with respect to how others farm. We raise different crops, livestock, live in different regions with different soils, different markets and so on. There’s obviously not just one way to farm.  I’ve been taking this approach as I’ve hosted farm tours for Pre-K and elementary age student groups, farm groups and other visitors; work with Ag in the Classroom educational programs, online with social media and my blog, and with conversations with friends, family and fellow community members.
  
• Building my own communication and relationship skill sets through Farm Bureau Leadership Institute. This has helped me share this message with Capitol Hill visits, interviewing state assembly candidates, and working with agricultural issues in my own community
• Bringing this conversation to our high school and technical college agricultural teachers through my past work with the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators. This included bringing in presenters to the annual Professional Development Conference to speak on ag advocacy to build skills for both their role as a teacher and coaching their students advocating for agriculture
• Vision for a county ag showcase event:  St. Croix County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state. We’re practically a suburb of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. I’d like to use my background communication and event planning to host a small event for decision makers, agencies and media in our county to learn more about agriculture in St. Croix County. It would feature a tour of both a larger dairy farm, smaller or different type of farm and a processor. The goal would be to raise awareness of the diversity of agriculture, advancements, economic impact in our communities and all in an open environment to learn.

While the agricultural industry has come a long way in becoming an open environment for women, there’s still an underlying, often unintentional perception of the role a women plays in production agriculture, and even the jobs that support this field.  More and more women are becoming sole farm owners, or are sharing the decision making with their husbands or families, and also working in careers that directly work with farmers. More young women are planning to work in agriculture. Are we really doing our best to make this an open, welcoming environment?

You might be thinking: Why should I care? Isn’t this a women’s issue?  We should work to shift mindsets for a few reasons. On a personal level we all have connections to women:  daughters, grandchildren, wives, girlfriends, sisters and friends.  From an industry perspective there will be a huge shift in the workforce in the near future. Baby boomers will be retiring in business and farming. There will be a greater number of women stepping into roles. We need to help build a welcoming environment for this next generation, especially if we want to keep women in agriculture, especially as farmers and in careers that directly serve farmers.  Finally, whether it’s a niece, neighbor, co-worker or colleague I encourage others to keep an open mind about the roles and abilities of women in agriculture

More action: Stepping up
The perceptions of women can continue to change by our own actions we take in the agricultural community and related organizations. Here’s what I’ve been doing as a farmer, who happens to be female:

• Lead by example of what I’m doing as a farmer, not as a female farmer.  I’ve hosted farm tours for other women in ag, use social media, including Facebook, Instagram, as well as written and video blogs  featuring my face and I’m doing on the farm. Fluff not included.
• Serve in ag leadership positions that aren’t just for women.  A few years ago I had the opportunity to join county Farm Bureau board and now am serving as Vice President.
• Community ag involvement: I continue to represent myself and the work I do as a volunteer with organizations such as the FFA Alumni, as well as past service with the UW-River Falls Alumni Advisory Board Executive Committee and the UW-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Alumni President.
• Cognizant of how I interact with other women in agriculture by supporting everyone in this business and recognize I’m a role model whether I like it or not.
• Talk to everyone I know about what I farm and what I do.  I admit, growing up in a rural area where we are encouraged to be humble and not talk about ourselves, this has been work in progress for me.
  

On occasion friends and colleagues ask me why I’m involved with Farm Bureau.  I’ll often share how I love the leadership and education opportunities.  This last weekend I graduated from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute, a yearlong personal and professional development program.  It wasn’t until this week, following that graduation,  I was able to reflect on what this organization truly means to me.  It’s about friendships and a shared love for agriculture.  Here’s why I’m a part of Farm Bureau:

• Represents all of agriculture. Sometimes I think the fact that I’m small farmer, who’s in a niche market, can often lead to the assumption that I don’t fit the typical member mold.  That’s not the case. One of the aspects that appeals to me is the fact it’s a GENERAL farm organization, representing all aspects of agriculture and farming. The beauty of a grassroots organization is the representation and voice of its members. It’s up to us to be present, speak up and get involved.
  
• Voice for agriculture. It helps those of us in agriculture, including me, find and amplify our voice. One of my Institute classmates, Ryan, often referred to the Farm Bureau tagline this last year: A voice for farmers. A vision for agriculture. This is what it’s about, telling our stories and experiences as farmers and those who work in agriculture.  It’s also about speaking up for agriculture when questions arise.  Often it can be more comfortable to sit back and observe because many of us grew up where we learned to not talk about ourselves.  But, I’ve realized through my Farm Bureau involvement it’s not that hard to do. And, we need to do it more.
  
• Build on new and old friendships. I’ve reconnected with friends from college, high school and FFA, as well as made new connections through getting involved in our District activities, the Leadership Institute and the Young Farmer and Agriculturalist Washington, D.C. trip. The best part is we all share the same love for what we do in our daily lives in agriculture.
• Networking.  My involvement has also lead to business opportunities for my farm, as well as making connections and meeting leaders in agriculture, decision makers and government officials in my community, state and even national level, and even simply meeting others involved in agriculture in my community, an area where I didn’t grow up.
• Opportunities.  Involvement opens doors to experiences I may not have otherwise would have: traveling to Washington, D.C., and stepping into an agricultural leadership position in my community.
• Outreach. This is about sharing information and education about agriculture, through programs like Ag in the Classroom, and even opening the doors of my farm for  tours for fellow women in agriculture or community groups.
• Professional Development. As an entrepreneur, a business owner, a staff of one, involvement in Farm Bureau activities, including the Leadership Institute, continues to help me grow personally and professionally, as well as stay up-to-date on issues impacting agriculture in my community, state and even country.

If you’re already a member, I’d encourage you to think about what this organization means to you and where it can help you in the future.  If you’re not a part of Farm Bureau, think about joining.  Just like other organizations, you can pick and choose what and how much you want to do. It’s what you make of it.  Send me an email at cylonrollingacres@gmail.com. I’d be glad to share more information about membership or simply answer questions.

I had the opportunity to be a guest blogger for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau recently. This post was published here.

I don’t have enough time. I’m not experienced enough.
I’m too young. I’m too old.
I’m not a “typical” farmer.

There are dozens of reasons that could be given for not stepping into a leadership role in agriculture or our communities. I’ve been thinking a lot about what it takes to be a leader ever since I made the three-and-a-half-hour drive home from our first Farm Bureau Leadership Institute in Madison last month.

Vince Lombardi once said, “Leaders are made, not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”

This quote sheds light on a common myth that only certain people are destine to be leaders. However, leaders come from all backgrounds and demonstrate strong character, while utilizing their skills and talents to benefit their communities.  Leaders recognize and step up to opportunities when asked or on their own initiative. Either way, it’s a CHOICE.

Similar to many in agriculture, I’m busy. I have a young son, a job off the farm and manage a growing farm. Through life experiences, I recognize the importance of taking care of oneself and family. That aside, there will never be a “good time” to be a leader.

As members of Farm Bureau and other ag organizations, we need to choose to step up and take a leadership role. It could be simply volunteering with the local Ag in the Classroom program or serving on a county or community organization board. Find the right fit and what works for you. Say yes and do it well.

Just like our day-to-day work, we also need to find ways to grow as a leader, developing personal skills and challenging our own views and perspectives on life.  I’ve recently made the choice to purposefully grow as a leader through the Farm Bureau Leadership Institute. During our first session we learned about ourselves, evaluating who we are as leaders, understanding our personality types and intellectual intelligence and building and practicing speaking skills.

The best part so far has been getting to know my classmates. We all come from different places in life, from being fresh out of school to seasoned agriculturalists, single, married, county board members, new members, range of agricultural experiences and so on.  Even though we only spent three days together, I already consider them friends and am looking forward to getting to know them more as we continue on this leadership journey together over the next year. In fact, I know they’ll be future connections down the road when working on county Farm Bureau projects or other community work.

Fellow agriculturalists, here’s my challenge to you:  CHOOSE to make the time to step up as leader in your community and consider adding the Leadership Institute to your personal development to do list.

Earlier this year we received board election information in the mail from an agricultural cooperative. As I paged through the candidate biographies, I was impressed by how experienced many of the individuals were as farm operators and involvement in their respective communities.

When I looked through it again, my impression started to change, not of them, but of the bigger picture. I started to wonder why there weren’t any younger farmers as candidates.There actually were two, one 28 and another 36. However, there majority of candidates were well over 50. I want to note, that I don’t want to discredit these seasoned farmers one bit. But, I started to see a glaring issue. Where is the representation from the younger generation of farmers? It’s not at the fault of the other candidates.

While the average age in our profession keeps ticking up, 57 years old based on current USDA numbers, there are younger farmers. I know them. Many of them are friends in my community and from college. I’m one of them. In the bigger picture, the ag community recognizes the need to support the next generation of farmers through specialized lending programs with Farm Credit and FSA, programs on succession planning, business planning, leadership development and other topics.

But why, when it comes to representing the farmer’s voice there’s limited representation of “young” farmers on ag boards and committees?. As agriculture and management styles continue to change, the next generation of farmers needs to have their voice at the table. Why isn’t it happening?

I can tell you from my own experience and conversations with friends, that it’s time. For me: we’re working off farm jobs, in addition to farming, have a young family, the  farm is in the expansion stages and it’s just us running the show, with some occasional assistance from family that doesn’t live close. I’m not complaining. But, it’s a reality I know is true for many younger farmers. Here’s the deal. We need to make time for producer leadership roles. We have too. If we’re growing our farms, we need to be at the table in our communities, organizations and even agribusinesses. There’s potential for major disconnect with the next generation of farmers, when boards represent only those who are well into their career or even retired from farming.

I recently decided to walk the talk and joined my county Farm Bureau board. I also applied for another ag committee position, but wasn’t selected. But, that’s ok. That's what taking chances is about. I know that if I didn’t express interest, there was zero chance of serving in that role. I’m considering applying again in the future. I challenge my peers to make the time, take the chance and step up into leadership roles.  We need younger farmers represented in our agricultural and community organizations.