Adaptive Ag

Last night was my local Farm Bureau Annual Meeting.  We had the usual delicious food, door prizes, and of course the usual speakers from different levels and committees of the organization.  The information they bring to meetings is sometimes reflective, other times forward looking, but generally it gives an idea to the types of problems farmers across the county, state, and country are facing.

Most of the reports focused on what we accomplished in the past year, but one speaker brought up the downfall of a completely grass roots organization: reaction type is fast enough in the current political climate.  In Michigan, the executive and legislative branches are run by the same political party.  Resolutions involving farm legislation are being passed so quickly and easily, that items which couldn't be issues last year are now being voting upon, and Farm Bureau is not able to change its endorsement or in some cases even place an endorsement in the first place because there is nothing referencing it in the Farm Bureau policy booklet.

This is a real problem, because our organization isn't as flexible or reactive as it should be in order to come to the table for big discussions.  However, we are hearing a complaint that tells us our legislature is listening to us, and they want more!  The candidates the Farm Bureau and farmers are supporting really want the input of agriculture, and are thinking about our businesses.  Our collective voice is important and it is desired.  We have an audience; a powerful one at that.

Another speaker referred to looking in unorthodox places for Allies in regulations in agriculture.  In California, farmers and union members band together because they both value the freedom to make decisions about their industries.  In New York, farmers and self proclaimed environmentalists have worked together against some of the HSUS policies they see as unfair, or misinformed.  As a whole, agriculture has to make an effort to listen, ask questions, and find the common ground.  It is out there and we can find it, as long as we can put aside our preconceived notions of the other person's views.