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by Lynn Snyder

OFBF President Bob Peterson described the scenario: You want to get a message to the president of the United States. How do you do it? Will a phone call work? A letter? Is e-mail effective?

The question was posed to the young leaders who participated in the annual legislative trip to Washington D.C. Sept. 1 to 3.

Peterson described a situation in his own life that provided the answer to his question. Eleven years ago, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was struggling for passage in Congress. Peterson’s representative Ted Strickland was holding an open-door meeting in Peterson’s county, and he took it upon himself to attend the meeting, knowing he was likely the only pro-NAFTA person there. At the meeting, Peterson was able to talk one-on-one with the representative to present his support for NAFTA. He also found out that Strickland would lean to vote for approval if then President Clinton asked him to.

A phone call was made to former Ohio Farm Bureau Vice President Pat Casey, and Peterson told him that Strickland would vote to support if asked. In the end NAFTA passed, and Strickland voted against it, but Peterson said he felt confident that the president got his message.

Peterson used his point to encourage the young leaders to get involved in Farm Bureau and the political process. He said there is strength in the organization and from their participation, "You’ll benefit, your farm will benefit and your family will benefit," he said.

During the three-day trip, young leaders were briefed on the national issues of urgent importance to Farm Bureau and then were given the opportunity to meet one-on-one with their Congressional representatives or their staff members.

OFBF Vice President of Government Affairs Keith Stimpert told the group their messages to the representatives and their staffs are important. "Say you’re a farmer – you’re the expert on how policy affects farmers in the state of Ohio," he said. He encouraged the young leaders to be helpful to the congressional staff members. "You may become a resource for a Congressman or aide," he said.

Dale Davisson, a Union County farmer, attended the trip. He said it was helpful in developing an understanding of the legislative process and acquiring an understanding of agricultural concerns. He admitted he was a bit nervous to do the lobbying part of the trip, but after receiving some education, explanation and insight into the national issues facing farmers, he said he felt comfortable to make the congressional visit.

He said he doesn’t consider himself a political person, but after the trip, he said his interest in politics has increased. "The opportunity to meet other people was a large part of (the trip)," he added.

"I would recommend the trip to anyone. There is so much to learn about Washington or Farm Bureau itself," he said.

Caption: Farm Bureau hosts a young leader trip each September to expose members to the organization’s involvement in the political process and to show young leaders they should play an active role in the process, too.