From the Fields: Telling our farm story

My husband, Kent, and I raise corn, soybeans and sweet corn in Galveston, Indiana. We started planting April 14. We have finished planting and just received a much-needed rain. Our planting season started in a water deficit, and we are still in that situation.

Many things have changed over the years from what is grown and raised to the methods used and technology. My role on the farm has changed over the years, as well.

I now have the opportunity to advocate for our family farm, as well as others, through Indiana Farm Bureau, where I serve as second vice president and chair of the State Women’s Leadership Committee. I also chair the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Committee.

Our county Farm Bureau was a valuable starting point for me. I highly recommend getting involved with your county Farm Bureau and taking advantage of the leadership opportunities offered.

I just returned from the AFBF Advocacy Fly-in in Washington, D.C., where I was able to visit several elected officials alongside other INFB members and tell our farm stories.

It is necessary to tell our farm story to those that set policy and regulations that affect our farms and families. Legislators are in the thick of creating a new farm bill as the 2018 legislation comes to an end.

We shared with our Indiana congressional delegation why the farm bill is so important to each of us. We each shared a different story and reason for our ask. Legislators saw our diversity in agriculture, as well as our common focus on protection and promotion of the ag industry.