Written by Sally Turpin
Growing up on my family’s dairy farm ignited my passion for agriculture. After college, I joined Farm Bureau as a way to meet others who shared this same interest, and almost 15 years later, I have gained that and so much more. As Wisconsin’s largest general farm organization, members come from farms of all sizes and types or are involved in the agricultural industry in other ways. I have enjoyed volunteering for an organization that not only seeks legislative solutions to issues farmers face, but is also helping strengthen our rural communities, providing leadership development opportunities for members and having fun while we do it.
There is a saying in politics that if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. Legislators cannot be experts on everything, so they rely on information coming into their office and want to hear from their constituents. It can be a little intimidating going to a legislator’s office and meeting with your representative and their staff, but our government only works if citizens are informed and engaged in the process. With the tools I’ve received from Farm Bureau trainings like the Leadership Institute, WisGO Team or AFBF’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp, these have been great opportunities to participate in policy making and have my voice heard.
As fewer people come from a farming background, many do not really know where their food comes from, even in small towns. Through programs such as Agriculture in the Classroom, Gather Wisconsin or other local efforts, we are teaching children and consumers about where their food comes from. Finding that common ground and building connections is more important than ever as people have less of connection to the land and raising their own food.
There is power in numbers, so it is important that we work together as an agricultural industry. I will contend that some of my best friends are ones I have met through Farm Bureau. They are just solid people. If you are looking for the kind of folks who will fix your car in a hotel parking lot (Yes, that actually happened. A couple friends helped put a starter in my car one night at a conference a few years ago), or are happy to show you around and give you a place to stay while traveling or will come do chores after a tragedy strikes in the family, this is where you’ll find them. As our Farm Neighbors Care program implies, we truly do build each other up and have each other’s backs.
Simply by taking that next step when an opportunity presented itself, I had the privilege of serving on committees at both the state and national levels, which provided opportunities to travel and learn about farming in other states while making lifelong friends from across the country. If a “nobody” like me can do such things, anyone can. This truly is an organization where you will get out of it what you put in. We all joke that being “voluntold” was a common start to our involvement (I was asked by a friend to participate in the discussion meet), so clearly making that ask is effective. Consider saying “yes” the next time someone asks you to get involved or inviting a friend and being the one to make that ask.
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