How to Be an Agvocate
Agriculture is a cornerstone of our nation's economy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), agriculture directly contributes over $1 trillion to our nation's GDP, accounting for 10.5% of jobs across the United States.
But agriculture isn't just about food, fiber, and fuel; it also has a powerful impact on our environment and climate change. So, what can you do as an individual to advocate for better farming policies?
Get Informed About Policy Issues
To be an effective Agvocate, you need to know what's happening in agriculture. Read up on current agricultural issues and learn about policy issues in your state and federal government.
Learn about the history of agricultural policy, including how it has changed over time. Learn about the history of your state's agricultural industry — what were its origins? Who were some important figures in its development? What are some notable successes or failures from this period?
The same goes for your community: what was its founding industry before it shifted from agriculture to another form of business development (or vice versa)? Get to know your local farmers, too. They are on the front lines of today's farming issues and will have a lot of helpful insight they may be willing to share.
Talk About These Issues with Friends, Family, and Other People in Your Community
As you talk to others about agriculture, remember that you are likely to encounter a range of perspectives. Some people may be excited and interested in learning more about food production, while others may be skeptical or even hostile toward farmers. It would help if you approached these conversations with an open mind but also be prepared for them not to go as planned—and know when it's time to end the conversation altogether.
If someone asks you why farmers do what they do, there are plenty of easy answers: "Because they love their animals!" or "Because healthy soil produces healthy crops!" But those kinds of responses are only sometimes enough. Instead of relying on quick explanations like these (which can feel insincere), try starting by asking questions instead: What do YOU think makes farming so important? Why do YOU believe farmers do the things they do? And go from there!
Take Action by Writing to U.S. Senators and Representatives to Let Them Know What You Think About Agricultural Policy
Writing letters to your Senators and Representatives is another excellent way to put thoughts into action as an Agvocate. You can do this by going to the website for Congress, clicking on "Contact," and then typing in your address. If you have a specific issue you want them to know about — for example, if legislation is pending that might affect farmers in your state — be sure to tell them about it!
Be sure to send letters directly to the right people: Senators represent states, while Representatives represent districts within each state's borders (there may only be one representative per district). Your letter should go directly into their inboxes; otherwise, they won't see what you have written!
You Can Help Change Agriculture for the Better by Becoming an Agvocate!
You don't have to be an expert or need experience in politics or lobbying; you need a willingness to learn, a passion for agriculture, and the desire to make a difference.
We hope you feel empowered to act and become an Agvocate. By telling your story, talking about agricultural issues with friends and family, using social media to share information, writing letters to elected officials, and more, you can help change policy for the better!
