Get Involved! The Industry is Depending on You

I routinely hear from farmers that they want to be involved in the ag industry and serve on boards and committees. This is awesome! I was the same way when I was just out of college and back on the farm. During college, I participated in several organizations and held leadership positions in my sorority, Pi Beta Phi. The same was true of my days in high school. But as I went to work full time, it felt like the opportunities to be involved in organizations were not available for me. Today, I hear this from younger farmers, and it makes me sad that things have not changed in the past 30 years.

From my perspective now, it seems difficult to find fresh faces who want to actively participate. So, when I hear from someone who would like to be involved, I always try to encourage them to find an area they are truly enthusiastic about and start showing up to contribute. If I have an opportunity to add their name to a list of people to be on a committee or task force, I add it. Another comment that is quite common is that we spend too long in leadership positions. Leaders do not know when it is time for a new set of ideas and leadership.

So, which is it? Are there not enough people who want to participate, or must they wait so long to be involved that they because frustrated with the entire process and just go back home to the farm?

I believe it is both. The industry needs all ages ACTIVELY participating together to be the most effective in reaching the goals we need to achieve. Mainly that goal should be maintaining a strong and vibrant agricultural sector in the United States. Innovative ideas are paramount for change and progress to continue. Those new ideas must be counterbalanced with experience and knowledge of how events have occurred in the past. Pushing the envelope to initiate change can sometimes be the most challenging task one may embark upon and tempering the enthusiasm of a too swift and quick turnabout will also challenge you.

What does it take to accomplish all this with a group of head strong farmers? Patience and the ability, and willingness, to listen and compromise. The best for the industry must always be the goal. Reaching the goal takes people voicing their opinions and experiences to figure it out and then good collaboration on how to move forward with consensus on the job that must be done.

If you want to be involved - keep asking and showing up. If you are already involved look around and see who else wants to step up. Allow opportunities for others, you never know when their perspective may be the one that changes everything for the better. Sometimes the load is heavy, and the work is much easier with many hands.