For farmers, change is a way of life, and the start of spring brings the promise of change again. Many farmers are about to hang up their sport coats from winter meetings and put on their work clothes to begin spring planting. Winter’s cold days and early sunsets are about to give way to spring’s longer, warmer days. New seeds will go in the ground, or maybe new animals will be born. We start the year with a new Congress and a new state legislature at work. Prices could change, input costs could change and the people working alongside us could change. Through it all, farmers and rural Americans know they have a constant in their county, state and national Farm Bureau.
For 100 years, American Farm Bureau has been building strong agricultural communities through advocating grassroots policy, written by farmers to address agriculture’s most important issues and to give timely direction to Farm Bureau advocacy staff. Through its committees and programs, Farm Bureau has consistently brought together young farmers, women in agriculture, agricultural educators, and others who share a mission of preserving farms and rural communities for the good of all Americans. Farm Bureau has always been there, ready to provide the knowledge and tools its members need to advocate collectively for their livelihoods and communities. In North Carolina, that tradition has continued since our state organization was established in 1936.
2019 has had a strong start for North Carolina Farm Bureau. Many of us traveled to New Orleans to celebrate American Farm Bureau’s 100th anniversary at the annual convention and trade show. To make things even more special this year, North Carolina was recognized for being one of the best state Farm Bureaus, by winning the Pinnacle Award for membership growth and the excellence of our programs. Two of our young farmers, Justin and Erica Edwards of Duplin County, won the YF&R Achievement Award, and Glean LLC of Farmville won the People’s Choice Award in the Ag Innovation Challenge. The annual convention offered much to prepare farmers and ranchers for the future – through workshops, through policy adoption and through events like the YF&R competitions.
The one thing constant in life is change. Farm Bureau has certainly evolved through its first 100 years to meet the changing needs of our farmers and rural communities. We believe wholeheartedly that Farm Bureau’s steadfast commitment to its mission will carry it forward far into the future, no matter what might lie on the horizon.
– Larry Wooten
