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In my first few months on the job with Farm Bureau, I prepared for a training on policy development and I felt like I was out of my element. I was never interested in politics and even starting this job I truly didn't have a grasp of what grassroots really meant.
Fast forward seven years later, and here I sit spewing out my excitement and amazement over the Farm Bureau policy development process.
This has become one of the times I wish I was serving as a member and not a staff person, but I'm still so thankful to be representing my counties, agriculture and our members in any way I can.
For those who aren't familiar with the grassroots or Farm Bureau's policy development (PD) process, it all starts right here in our communities. Our county Farm Bureau hosts meetings with local officials, leaders and farmers. We also send out issues surveys to all active farmer members for input on the issues they face.
A board trustee and myself attend meetings throughout the year, visit farms and participate in different capacities in the community, and we are always listening and identifying key issues.
This means when you don't like something Farm Bureau is doing or you don't agree with a certain policy, as a member you have the ability to make that change -- all by speaking up and sharing.
From all of this input, the policy development committee reviews current policies and adds new policy suggestions based on member and community input.
Those proposed policies are voted on at our county annual meeting in the fall. From there, the county proposals are submitted to the Ohio Farm Bureau.
A state policy development committee is then created through nominations from the county Farm Bureaus.
The first round of sessions for the committee involves having industry professionals speak about major topics and then on day two, the entire group comes and reviews submitted policy suggestions.
With all of the craziness going on in this world, and with all of the negativity of politics and parties, it seems nobody can agree anymore. But the policy process is amazing to see.
It is a group of farmers and ag professionals that come together, from different ag backgrounds, different values, political beliefs, and farm practices to share experiences and engage in constructive discussion regarding the policies Farm Bureau takes a stand on.
More often than not, the room is not in full agreement, but through sharing and explaining, research and compromise on all sides, the committees always come up with strong policy recommendations for Farm Bureau member delegates to discuss and vote on in December at OFBF Annual Meeting.
National policies adopted at the annual meeting will then be escalated to the American Farm Bureau, where members throughout the nation will vote and set national policy.
Farm Bureau policies allow our team to fight for agriculture and the issues agriculture faces. Farm Bureau is there when you can't be.
This process is truly amazing and why Farm Bureau is such a strong and influential organization and it all starts right here with our members.
I encourage you all to use your experiences, your knowledge and your voice and get involved in your community to make a difference in things you are passionate about. Use your voice, but do it with an open mind, listening ears that hear all sides, and an understanding heart.
Be the change you wish to see in this world.
On a grassroots level, John Marcel once said that "man can touch more than he can grasp." As a Farm Bureau member, you have the ability to make a difference that impacts agriculture, farmers and consumers for generations to come.
You can fill out our Issues Input Survey at https://bit.ly/2023IssuesInput, email suggestions to nefarmbu@ofbf.org, mail them to our regional office at 8460 Ridge Road, North Royalton, OH 44133, or call us at 440-426-2195.
Orahood is the organization director at Ohio Farm Bureau Federation for Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull counties.