So often I am asked questions like, “Why do I have to pay Farm Bureau membership dues?” and “Why is my insurance company involved in statewide legislative issues?”
The answers to those questions might surprise you. In 1936, North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation was formed to be the voice of farmers and rural communities in the legislative arena. In the 1950s, North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation established the North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company in response to the insurance needs of our rural members. Our insurance company has since grown to be one of the most respected and trusted brands for insurance in our state and nation.
Many of you joined Farm Bureau in order to take advantage of our excellent insurance products and customer service. You might have no connection to agriculture besides enjoying good food daily, but that in and of itself is an important connection. Your Farm Bureau membership matters!
Agriculture remains the backbone of our state’s economy and provides a heritage and quality of life here that you cannot find anywhere else in the country. Our core mission of advocating for farmers and rural communities is just as relevant now as it was almost 90 years ago. In addition to our advocacy efforts, your membership dollars allow us to invest in local and state level scholarships, teacher resources, community service efforts, leadership development opportunities for the next generation and member services, among other things. Thank you for your membership.
As I mentioned, our core mission is to be the voice of our state’s farmers at the state and federal levels on issues impacting their farms. That means we build relationships and work with candidates and elected offi cials regardless of their party affiliation. Recently, we discovered the minutes of a Farm Bureau Board of Directors meeting in 1936 and learned the board asked each candidate for governor in that year’s election to explain their position on North Carolina agriculture. Our team thought about it and decided it would be a great idea to do that again! In this issue, we include a statement about agriculture from each of our current gubernatorial candidates. Elections matter, and we encourage you to vote this fall. It’s your membership that gives us the tools to educate and advocate. The advocacy work of North Carolina Farm Bureau ensures that we can all enjoy great food and fiber products grown by your dedicated North Carolina farmers.
– North Carolina Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding
