In February 2022, our longtime North Carolina Farm Bureau Treasurer, Perry Crutchfield, retired after 39 years of dedicated service. His retirement got me thinking about many others who have retired from our company and the phases we all have in our careers, even in mine as president.
The end of every year brings another group of people who move on from North Carolina Farm Bureau to begin that post-career phase of life and another time to celebrate their contributions and the fresh start ahead for each of them. The “changing of the guard” here at our organization is not unique, but it does remind us, just as the start of a new season does, that eventually things change. People change, seasons change, and sometimes it can feel like the only constant is change.
See more: Spring Offers a Fresh Start and Renewed Hopes
It’s also true that, from time to time, we must examine ourselves and consider where change is needed at Farm Bureau. And while the way Farm Bureau operates might change and evolve, the why of Farm Bureau will never change. We will always stay true to our core mission of providing an advocacy voice for farmers and rural residents while serving members to the best of our ability. We will keep an eye toward the future while continuing to reflect to see where we might need to change to fulfill our mission as times change.
Change in the form of a refresh, such as a spring cleaning at your home or farm, can be exciting, just as the opportunity to work with new people who bring fresh ideas can be a very positive experience. We see this all the time in agriculture when young farmers step into leadership roles and ask their own questions, which often include “Why do we do it this way?”
The feature stories in this issue of North Carolina Field & Family offer a glimpse of how innovative farmers have asked those questions then adapted and evolved their farms to better serve their communities. I hope you enjoy these features and, most of all, that this issue inspires you to see the beauty in change as spring arrives. Get outside and enjoy!
– Shawn Harding, North Carolina Farm Bureau President
