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There is a lot of talk about how Farm Bureau is a member and grassroots organization. This is more than just talk. Through the policy development process, member opinions really do get heard.

County Farm Bureau policy is the foundation for programs and activities. The process the organization uses gives members the opportunity to shape policy and ultimately give direction to OFBF programs throughout the year.

Each county Farm Bureau appoints a policy development committee that develops an action plan. Typically, the chairman of the committee presides over meetings to learn more about local issues that might warrant a position from the county Farm Bureau. The committee works to surface these issues and gather enough facts to make sound policy recommendations to the county membership. The policy development committee receives policy suggestions from several sources, including advisory councils, individual members, county Farm Bureau committees, county Farm Bureau board members and through meetings with outside resources. From these suggestions, the committee drafts its proposals for local, state and national policies that are presented to county members at the annual meeting.

Approved county policies of a state and national scope are submitted to the OFBF State Policy Development Committee for consideration. Meetings are conducted to learn more about the issues that ultimately will be presented to OFBF annual meeting delegates. National polices approved by delegates are submitted to American Farm Bureau for consideration.

"There is an effort at all levels to seek the input from interested parties," said OFBF Director of Political Education Deering Dyer. "Policy then becomes relevant to members and other groups we work with, allowing us to work cooperatively on issues through the year."