Menu

by Jeff Watkins

Are you a farmer and a Farm Bureau member? I already know the answer to that question. (This publication goes to all of Ohio Farm Bureau farmer members.)

Here's another question: Why do you pay dues to belong to this organization? I know how I would answer that question, too. If you want agriculture in this state to continue for the foreseeable future, you need to make sure your Farm Bureau remains strong.

I believe it's the work done on your behalf day in and day out on many different fronts that allows you to keep doing what you love to do. Farm Bureau is highly organized with 87 county Farm Bureaus meeting regularly with lawmakers at home and a team of dedicated professional lobbyists telling the same story in our state capital. Our organization’s effectiveness is second to none.

I speak from experience when I say decision-makers in this state listen to our lobbyists and our member constituents. It’s been about 25 years since I was a legislative aide for a state representative in the statehouse. I can remember logging in letters and calls received daily in the representative’s office. I remember lobbyists maneuvering to find even 10 minutes with my boss so they could explain their positions. But he paid attention and he did listen, especially when he needed to cast a vote on a subject he was not all that familiar with.

A very real challenge we in agriculture face today is the fact that few of our lawmakers have any tie to farming and agriculture. Looking back 25 or 30 years, many of our politicians came from the farm, or had an aunt, uncle or grandparent who farmed. They understood. Today’s lawmakers have a need for accurate information. They want to be able to take an educated position on issues that affect your future. They don’t have that knowledge and they know Farm Bureau is always there to answer their questions.

One of the challenges every organization faces is how to communicate effectively what it’s doing for its members. We are no different. It would make my job of making sure we have a successful membership drive each year much easier if all members realized how much is done on their behalf on a daily basis.

In addition to the legislative representation Ohio Farm Bureau staff engage in, staff represents members on a multitude of councils, task forces, coalitions, alliances and committees that meet regularly and impact the future of businesses in Ohio. Among these include the CAUV technical advisory committee, the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice, the Agricultural Law Association, NRCS state technical committee and numerous committees that deal with every agricultural commodity produced in this state. You are represented within a business coalition consisting of representatives of manufacturers, independent business owners and other Ohio business interests. Your staff meet and talk regularly with Fred Dailey and his staff at the Ohio Department of Agriculture and with Gov. Taft and his staff.

Your organization also is looking after your interests in Washington. For the fourth year in a row the American Farm Bureau was voted by legislators, staff and lobbyists as one of the "Top 25," which is a ranking of the most effective lobbyists. American Farm Bureau lobbyists specialize in designated areas such as taxes, trade and natural resources and monitor every rule, regulation or law in that area to determine the impact it will have on agriculture.

So are you getting your money’s worth? I believe you are, and then some. Plus there are other reasons to support Farm Bureau including member benefits and valuable insurance product offerings.

In my mind, though, if you farm in Ohio you need to be represented on all fronts. As you receive your renewal notice in the mail, I hope you’ll reflect on the power of Farm Bureau and the opportunities that allow you to prosper in Ohio’s No. 1 occupation.

Caption: Rita Warner, Montgomery County, and Scott Marriott, Madison County, look over one of the prizes they could win in this year’s membership campaign. Volunteers are gearing up to ask their fellow farmers to join Farm Bureau.