The Gravy is the Best Part
By President Steve Baccus
We only have to do two things.
When we gather for our annual meeting each fall, we
only have to set our policy and elect our leadership. Those are the
only things that we must accomplish in order to live up to the
bylaws of our organization. Everything else is gravy.
But if you're like me, the gravy is the best part of
the meal.
We joke a lot about food. Anyone who's spent any
time around Farm Bureau has heard it said, "Serve a good meal and
you're more apt to get a larger crowd." A few years ago we landed on
the Kensington pork chop as the entrée for our delegate business
session lunch and it's proven so popular, I've had folks comment on
them months later. Find a winner and stick with it!
As crop and livestock producers we take pride in our
profession and the fact that we feed the world. It only makes sense
that when we get together as a group for a meeting, the meals we
serve reflect that sentiment.
When I see the number of people who gather for our
annual meeting, I often think back to those first three or four
farmers in Leavenworth County back in 1919, who got together and
soon realized they were stronger together than they were on their
own.
That's one of the reasons we suspend debate and
discussion during our delegate session when our elected members of
Congress drop by. When they stand at the podium and gaze out over
more than 400 farmers and ranchers from each of our state's
105 counties, here's what they see:
Dedicated professionals who have made the conscious
decision to leave the farm for a few days to gather with peers and
friends with shared values who think and feel the same way they do.
The policy debate that occurs is the absolute heart
of Farm Bureau. It also happens to be the one event on our calendar
that most visually reflects our grassroots. If you are in that room,
you can't help but feel that you are an important part of Farm
Bureau - your farm organization.
Those policy debates and discussions are enhanced
and made better with informed delegates. Which is why the workshops
offered during our annual meetings are such a vital aspect of our
gathering.
This business is changing so rapidly that it's hard
for those of us who have crops, livestock and families to raise, to
keep up. By bringing niche-driven experts, fluent on a specific area
impacting agriculture, we have a unique opportunity to stay current
and up to speed.
The more we as individual farmers and ranchers know
about the policy areas we debate and discuss on our delegate floor,
the better and stronger our eventual policies become. And the
stronger our policies, the more seriously they are taken by the
elected leaders who act on them.
Finally, there's an intangible social aspect that
goes along with our annual meeting that in my mind is just as
important as our policy development process and leadership
elections.
It's the true fellowship that occurs when
like-minded people of goodwill gather in numbers.
It's hard to describe in words, but I know it when I
see it and I see it every time we gather.
So sure, we could probably carve and whittle our
annual meeting schedule down to just one day or less, if all we did
was set policy and hold elections. But doing so would defeat the
purpose of why we exist.
I've been to dozens of Kansas Farm Bureau annual
meetings. When we adjourn, I am always smarter and stronger as a
farmer and human being than when we called the meeting to order.
And if there's a tasty meal thrown into the mix
somewhere, then that's just gravy.
Anatomy of a Policy
Issue
by Mike Matson
It began innocuously enough last winter, when Kansas Farm Bureau Safety Director
Holly Higgins received a phone call from the Kansas Department of
Transportation, asking if she'd be willing to serve on a new statewide task
force charged with recommending ways to reduce the number of people killed and
injured on Kansas roadways.
It was a natural. From the state government's
perspective, they plugged two holes in their task force. With the individual in
charge of safety for the state's leading agriculture advocacy organization on
board, they had their "rural" and their "farm safety" bases covered.
"Sure, I told them I'd be glad to represent
the concerns of our farmer/rancher members on this task force," recalled
Higgins. "After a couple of meetings, it soon became apparent that KDOT's
primary goal was new state laws calling for tighter drivers license laws."
Higgins' first call was to KFB lobbyists
Terry Holdren and Brad Harrelson, who quickly brought her up to speed on a
similar proposal floated in the
2005 state legislature that would have raised
the eligibility age for drivers licenses.
Not that they harbor an inherent distrust of
state government but Higgins, Holdren and Harrelson each immediately sensed the
potential danger. Without Kansas Farm Bureau's involvement in this issue, it
would be far too easy for state lawmakers to overlook the unique circumstances
faced by rural teenage drivers.
Given the new urban/suburban majority in the
Legislature, rural interests must be ever vigilant in helping elected leaders
understand the consequences
- intended or otherwise - of their actions.
On most Kansas farms, kids start driving for
farm-related work at age 14.
With dwindling rural populations and school
consolidations, many Kansas teenagers get to and from school by driving
themselves, as soon as they earn their license at age 16.
Holdren and Harrelson engaged friendly
lawmakers and the KFB member-driven Resolutions Committee. At the upcoming
Kansas Farm Bureau annual meeting, voting delegates will be asked to consider
adopting new language that more clearly defines Farm Bureau's concerns, in light
of the new emphasis being placed on licensing teenagers.
The proposed KFB policy language removes KFB
support for the current statute and implements support for a graduated drivers'
license system, provided that system contains a strong education component and
an exemption for 14-year olds who live or work on a farm and drive for
farm-related duties.
The proposed policy supports learners'
permits for 14-year olds and a program for driving that would allow teens to
achieve full licensure by the time they reach 16 and-a-half.
The upshot is - when these drivers license
proposals surface again in Topeka this winter, Farm Bureau members will have the
peace of mind knowing that not only are their lobbyists engaged and at the table
- you will have grassroots, member-driven policy aimed at protecting your
interests.
Serving Up Hot
Topics
By Angie Cohorst
The Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting brings
together nearly 1,000 of the state's top farmers and ranchers for a two-day
convention and business session each November. This year's agenda offers a full
slate of workshops that will assemble top speakers from across the nation to
present information on hot topics facing agriculture producers.
"Our state's leading ag producers will choose
to carve two days out of their busy schedules to gather at Farm Bureau
Headquarters on November 17th and 18th," Mike Matson, KFB Communications
Director and annual meeting co-chair, says. "We feel it is critical to offer an
agenda that boasts speakers such as AFBF President Bob Stallman and
nationally-recognized ag spokesperson Jolene Brown."
Jolene Brown will kick-off the day's
activities with a three-hour transitional planning workshop "The Top Ten Stupid
Things Families Do To Break Up Their Business."TM This workshop, sponsored by
the KFB Legal Foundation, brings in one of the nation's top speakers to delve
into one of the critical issues facing agriculture today. Brown, and her
husband Keith, farm near West Branch, Iowa. Her fun-filled spirit and real life
stories have kept her in demand for presentations all across North America. With
lots of laughter and great insight she is known as one who brings humor, hope
and helpful ideas to people who want to celebrate their world.
Brown is an honored recipient of the highest
earned designation of professional speaking achievement from the National
Speakers Association. She is also the past chair of their National Ethics
committee. She has made numerous guest appearances for television and radio
broadcasts and her work has been featured in several major publications.
"In this generational diversity of needs and
dreams, we have forgotten that sound and profitable business and transitional
management must be based on more than genetics, tradition, assumptions and
emotion," Brown says.
"The workshop will provide a time of
laughter, appreciation, understanding, real life stories . . and most
importantly, proven working 'tools' to take home."
AFBF President Bob Stallman and KFB President
Steve Baccus will then headline Friday's general session at 1 p.m.
Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle producer from
Columbus, Tex., is serving his fourth term as president of the American Farm
Bureau Federation, the nation's largest and most influential general farm
organization. The 11th president in the organization's history, Stallman was
first elected president on Jan. 13, 2000. He will talk about the state of U.S.
agriculture and share an outlook for the future.
Baccus and his wife, Pat, manage an operation
in Ottawa County that's been in their family for four generations. Like many
involved members, Steve got his start in Farm Bureau when a neighbor invited him
to a Farm Bureau meeting. He has been a leader in this organization ever since.
Baccus will take this opportunity to welcome the dedicated professionals who
have made the conscious decision to gather with peers and friends to set policy,
elect leadership and share the social aspects offered during these two days.
Workshops sprinkled throughout the day are a vital component of the agenda.
"The annual meeting is an opportunity for KFB
members to discuss issues facing farmers, ranchers and rural communities," Brad
Harrelson, KFB State Director of Governmental Relations and annual meeting
workshop chair, says.
"Those discussions and the policy debates
that will take place are enhanced when members have the chance to hear from
staff and industry experts fluent on current topics impacting agriculture."
Workshop topics include the farm bill, rural
communities, changes in the pesticide law and renewable energy. One session will
address a number of natural resource issues facing KFB members and encompass a
review of Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), dam safety, deer
management and changes to Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations.
A panel of members will showcase innovative ag education programs and share
strategies and insight into how they have successfully implemented the programs
in their local schools.
"We are plugging in key staff members, state
officials and inviting a host of top-notch industry specialists such as Michael
Bowman, Steering Committee for 25 x '25; Art Hall, Founding Executive Director
of the Kansas Center for Applied Economics and Chuck Banks, State Director of
USDA Rural Development," Harrelson explains.
The day's schedule features niche-driven
workshop sessions at 9 a.m., 10:20 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Brown's session on
transitional planning runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with the general session
kicking off at 1 p.m.
"Our annual meeting theme is 'Leading
Agriculture's Future' and this line up reflects the multitude of reasons our
members invest two days in Manhattan," Matson summarizes. "We look forward to a
productive meeting."
We Are Farm Bureau
By John Schlageck
Farm Bureau in Kansas has always been about
people - farmers and ranchers who share the same vocation, although perhaps
different commodity interests and sometimes with a slightly different political
bent.
Dedicated members have always come together
under the common bond of unity and spoken with strength on behalf of their ag
industry while maintaining their independent farm and ranch lifestyle.
McPherson County's farm organization
epitomizes Farm Bureau in the Sunflower State. Steeped in a tradition of strong,
active leadership, this group of agricultural advocacy volunteers and staff has
made this organization a dynamic voice for agriculture year after year.
Although the board of directors and the
committee members number nearly 20 members, they all live in different parts of
the county, with different farming practices and different backgrounds. Such
diversification is a real asset when looking at issues impacting agriculture
from many points of view.
"Board members lead with conviction and our
committee members are a great mix," Greg Goering, county president says. "One
may be a student of policy, while another may be strong in conservation and
still another may look at how our organization can make inroads as a young
producer. Our strength lies in our ability to take people with areas of
expertise, reach consensus and speak as one voice."
Members of the McPherson County Farm Bureau
board and committees all take ownership in the organization. This group of
leaders is intent on developing and promoting the most profitable and permanent
system of agriculture.
They're also focused on maintaining the most
wholesome and satisfactory living conditions in their county. They believe in
the highest ideals of community and rural life. They're dedicated to a
citizenship that remains active in local, state and national affairs.
With this rich heritage comes the expectation
that McPherson County Farm Bureau is determined to take care of the business of
farming and ranching and any and all concerns of its members. This charge
doesn't stop the board and committee members from enjoying themselves, each
other and the journey.
"Oh goodness, it's a fun group," Goering
says. "That's what makes it interesting. We like being part of an ag
organization that's been around for so long. There's a lot of history and a
tremendous amount of leadership to build on."
And it's this leadership that serves the
county association so successfully in the political arena.
"Farming and ranching is our business - our
livelihood," Goering says. "If we have problems or challenges, we have to figure
out ways to solve them. If we don't - no one else will."
There have been many challenges throughout
McPherson County Farm Bureau's 89-year history as an advocacy organization. Most
recent issues involve private property rights, wind energy and water.
This issue of water rights is one of the
biggest looming on the horizon. The city of McPherson is trying to expand water
rights, according to Adam Baldwin, a young farmer and vice president of the
county Farm Bureau board.
While just a young man of 26, Baldwin knows
it's tough to be active while trying to start in farming but he's committed to
doing his part.
"Our city is pretty industrialized and I'm
not sure how important it views our ag industry in the county," Baldwin says.
Members of the organization are always
working to educate the city and its citizenry on the importance of agriculture
and how this vital industry contributes to the local economy. McPherson County
FB is involved with the city chamber of commerce and has sponsored events where
farmers and ranchers have an opportunity to work with and talk with urban folks
about their business.
Like so many other county Farm Bureau
organizations across Kansas, the resolution's process - or developing policy -
remains the heart of the association.
Grassroots involvement. Farm Bureau policy
comes from the members and begins at the county level. One person can make a
difference.
Together, many members can make a difference
in Topeka and Washington.
While all members of McPherson County are
busy with their own lives, families and community, they also understand the
importance of political involvement. They know politics has a lot to do with the
profitability of their farms.
Nobody Does it Better
The importance of Farm Bureau membership in
Kansas has never been more critical than it is today. While that isn't a
revolutionary idea, it still remains true - there is strength in like-minded
people. Volunteer enthusiasm and participation has made Farm Bureau the
respected, professional organization it is today.
Since our beginning more than 88 years ago,
farmers and ranchers have joined Farm Bureau when their neighbors asked them to.
When was the last time you asked someone to
join your county Farm Bureau?
When was the last time you volunteered for a
Farm Bureau activity and contributed the time the project deserved?
Remember, there is strength in numbers. There
is also credibility when farmers, who are Farm Bureau members, tell their story.
Our staff at Kansas Farm Bureau can tell agriculture's story but farmers and
ranchers still speak best for our industry. There is no substitute for farmers
and ranchers telling the agricultural story.
You put in 16-hour days during harvest. You
stay out from morning until night planting fall crops. You bundle up and head
into a fierce snowstorm to help a heifer calve. You must demonstrate the same
courage and conviction when telling your story. Display the same moxie when you
renew your membership in Farm Bureau.
Make time. Take the time. Those outside our
profession aren't going to be the ones who defend us and tell our side of the
story. If our story is to be told and our organization is to flourish, we must
make sure the job is done.
It is up to you. It is up to me.
Addressing another vital issue, it is
important to remember how important our involvement in the political process is.
Farmers and ranchers from across Kansas will soon attend the Kansas Farm Bureau
annual meeting. In January of '07 some of you will travel to Salt Lake City,
Utah to attend the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting. Of those who
attend nine volunteer farmers and ranchers - representing nearly 40,000
farmer/rancher members statewide - will discuss national policy recommendations
during the two-day policy adoption process.
This is why farmers and ranchers from across
Kansas belong to Farm Bureau.
It's the public policy arena where by Farm
Bureau members engage in their best work.
This is also a classic case of grass roots
policy at its finest.
Farmers and ranchers working together through
their farm organization can and will make a difference in the shaping of policy
for this business of agriculture. This upcoming meeting will be a very
productive meeting and one in which issues vital to Farm Bureau members across
Kansas become the road map for our farm organization in 2007.
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