Welcome from the President
Kevin Paap
While I have been involved in agriculture and Farm Bureau my entire life,
As Farm Bureau moves into our 93rd year, it is evident that we are here to stay. The foundation of our organization is dependent upon the strength, character, tradition and experience of our Farm Bureau members.
Farm Bureau is not a single-issue organization rather an every issue organization representing every facet of agriculture. We are a strength in numbers organization with Farm Bureau leading as our state and nation's largest agricultural organization.
As a member you see results from this organization. Seeing and experiencing results creates value for our members. One of the greatest strengths of Farm Bureau is doing more good together then we can as individuals, whether it be through agricultural policy, agricultural and safety education or leadership development.
It didn't take me long to realize the importance of having representation on agricultural legislative issues at our state and national Capitols. As farmers, we cannot be at the Capitol everyday, but our issues need to be represented daily. The value of Farm Bureau as a diverse agricultural organization is knowing that as a Farm Bureau member you have someone representing your interests on legislative issues. The rules are made by those who show up. If we are not at the table - we will be on the menu.
Policy Development is one of many values of Farm Bureau membership. Others include Promotion & Education (P&E) and Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) programs. Promotion and Education programs engage consumers in agriculture and safety education programs reaching thousands yearly. Our YF&R program engages and develops young Farm Bureau members into future agricultural leaders.
It is Farm Bureau's mission to be an advocate for agriculture. If you want agriculture to survive and thrive, we need to do a better job of promoting our own industry and making sure we are at the table.
Change is going to happen, and we can let it happen or be part of the change. If we want to be part of that change and direct that change in a positive way we need to do that through membership and involvement in our Farm Bureau organization.
We invite you to join us today in this effort to be a positive advocate for agriculture!
Perry Aasness
