Trayton Greenfield reflects on his 50-year Farm Bureau membership recruitment legacy.
Of the 102 years that Fond du Lac County Farm Bureau has been in existence, a familiar face has graced the board for over half that time. The term “Farm Bureau Proud” is synonymous with Trayton Greenfield, the county membership chair who has recruited 2,404 members to the organization during the span of 50 years.
After spending a half century in the role, the 89-year-old volunteer officially retired as the Fond du Lac membership chair at the end of 2023. Reflecting on his time in Farm Bureau, his motivation is quite simple.
“I just love working with the people,” Trayton said.
BUSY AND MOTIVATED
Trayton’s Farm Bureau story began on his dairy farm in Waupun, where he milked cows and grew crops with a passion any farmer can relate to.
“There was nothing I loved more than my animals and the land,” Trayton said. “I joined Farm Bureau and was a member for four years before I was approached to join the board of directors.”
Fond du Lac County Farm Bureau was in need of a new membership chair. Trayton recalled the day WFBF field staff member Conrad “Connie” Naparella stopped at his farm.
“Like any farmer, I was always busy, but Connie said, ‘The busiest person always gets the job done’,” Trayton said. “And I had a picnic doing it.”
Trayton soon found immense joy in recruiting new members. In his second year as chair, he recruited more than 100 members – a level he reached several times through the years. He has kept track of every member he recruited by writing down their names on a legal pad.
TRAYTON’S TOP FOUR TRICKS
Over his years of membership work, Trayton established several best practices for recruiting new members.
1. A smile goes a long way. Trayton said arriving and leaving with a smile on his face is the most important part of membership work.
“Even if they told me no, I would always leave with a smile and a commitment to stop by again another time,” Trayton said.
2. Cater to their interests. To show the variety of benefits and programs Farm Bureau has to offer, Trayton always had a variety of Farm Bureau tools and publications on hand. He particularly liked showcasing copies of Rural Route magazine and the local Farm Bureau newsletter.
“The state Farm Bureau has really great literature,” said Trayton. “I always ask them what their interests are and point out things I think they would enjoy the most.”
3. Use your resources. Finding more than 2,400 members is no easy feat, but Trayton has found several resources beneficial in surfacing potential new members.
“I keep accurate records of those I have signed and review them to see if they have other family members or connections I could reach out to,” said Trayton. “I also kept an up-to-date platbook and would follow up on recommendations from other members.”
4. Making the ask. Trayton recommends meeting with potential new members in person, whenever possible. However, making the ask to join is the most important piece in recruiting new members, regardless of how you reach them.
“Speaking with someone eye-to-eye goes a long way,” said Trayton.
FARM BUREAU PROUD
Those who have attended the WFBF Annual Meeting likely recall Trayton’s recognition as the top volunteer in the Farm Bureau Proud Club year after year. Among the plaques adorning the walls of his home recognizing his membership accomplishments, there is one that holds an extra special place in his heart.
Upon hearing of Trayton’s retirement in 2023, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall awarded Trayton a certificate of appreciation for his many years of membership work.
Zippy shared that Trayton is believed to be the longest serving membership volunteer in American Farm Bureau.
“I was on cloud nine to receive a message from the American Farm Bureau President,” said Trayton.
It doesn’t take long for those who sit down with Trayton to know his passion for Farm Bureau. As he reflects upon his work as the membership chair, that passion stems from one thing: people.
“The people I have seen and met over the years have been the most enjoyable,” said Trayton. “I am grateful to have worked with the Fond du Lac County Farm Bureau board of directors and all of the farmers in my county.”
Despite retiring from the role of membership chair, Trayton said he isn’t quite done yet.
“I have to keep my Farm Bureau Proud Club status, after all!”
Story by Cassie Sonnentag and originally appeared in the April | May 2024 Rural Route.
Leave a Reply