Why Farm Bureau?

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.