Educating the Next Generation

Established in 1919 the American Farm Bureau Federation serves as a voice for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. With almost 6 million member families, in 2,800 counties nationwide, the Farm Bureau has extensive influence in shaping agricultural policy, education, and the development of communities. At Farmland Stock Exchange, we believe it is important for all stakeholders in agriculture to be aware of the Farm Bureau's role and understand how they can be involved and heard.  

Advocacy and Policy: With the ability to lobby at both the State and Federal level, the Farm Bureau employs around 5,600 employees to represent the interests of Farmers and Ranchers nationwide. The Farm Bureau advocates on political issues such as the Farm Bill, pushes for policies that ensure fair markets, supports conservation efforts, and gives an array of options for producers to secure crop insurance, which is critical to the economic stability of over 1.9 million farms in the United States. 

The Farm Bureau serves as the main liaison between producers and policymakers. Aiming to develop regulations that balance environmental concerns with agricultural productivity, the Bureau works to make sure laws are practical to implement. The most pressing issues on which the Farm Bureau has provided policy include the following to name a few:

Looking at the small list above, you may notice some of these issues are very recent. This shows how nimble the Farm Bureau must operate, as many problems that people face in Agriculture tend to happen quickly and need immediate response from their representatives.

Education and Outreach: While not only focusing on current producers, the Farm Bureau also ensures the next generation of Farmers and Ranchers are equipped to contribute to Agriculture. Within the “Young Farmers and Ranchers” program which targets the age range of 18-35 years old, the Farm Bureau hosts local workshops that help members understand modern farming practices, new technologies, and sustainability efforts that are crucial to adopt. 

Through grants and volunteer efforts, the Farm Bureau’s “Ag in the Classroom” program fosters student appreciation for where their food comes from. Through education, the goal of this program is to help alleviate the stigmas associated with Agriculture to a young audience, as well as connect urban populations to the reality of food production. 

Research and Innovation: While the Farm Bureau does not directly conduct research and development, their mission is clear: contribute to funding and policy that will support  the future of food production while conserving natural resources. In segments like Biotechnology, Precision Agriculture, and Livestock management, the Farm Bureau engages with universities, government research programs, and private sector innovators, to develop some of the best agricultural practices in the world. 

Networking and Support: In times of crisis the Farm Bureau steps up to support its members. Whether it be hurricanes, floods, or crop wipeouts, the Farm Bureau’s role is to facilitate communication between producers and government relief programs and insurance companies. Providing resources and even sometimes direct aid, the Bureau works toward long-term recovery strategies, and prevention programs for future adversities. This includes lobbying for educational material and using their scale to lower insurance costs for members. 

Through extensive partnerships the Farm Bureau not only supports its members in times of need, but also provides platforms for knowledge sharing and fostering community. Whereas members can sometimes feel isolated with the heavy workload Agriculture demands, the Bureau holds monthly meetings, and Annual convention, and a grassroots approach to policy decisions ensuring its members voices are truly taken into account. 

Far more than just a lobbying group, the Farm Bureau is a comprehensive support system for American agriculture. Whether you’re a Farmer, Rancher, Investor in Agriculture, or just interested in the backbone of our food system, the Farm Bureau can provide insight. We believe supporting the next generation of Agriculture is important now more than ever, and understanding the role the Farm Bureau plays will provide people of all ages the opportunity to contribute to better industry. 

Link to the directly get involved: https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved

This message shows how welcoming the Farm Bureau is toward all people. While intended for agricultural stakeholders, there is no requirement for members to have a background in Agriculture. All perspectives are welcome, and the Bureau encourages attendance at local county meetings.

The Farm Bureau’s grassroots voting mechanism is very unique. Issues/ concerns that arise at local county meetings are voted on and brought up to the State conventions. If passed on at the State level, the policy can then be voted on at the National level. This ensures that all policy from all over the country is heard and reflects the opinions of farmers and ranchers.