How do I get involved in helping to create and impact Farm Bureau policy?
Your County Farm Bureau meets on a monthly basis. The best way to raise awareness of an issue or a policy concern is to let the County Farm Bureau Board of Directors know your concern. This can either be done in writing or by attending the board meeting and addressing the concerns. Most often the area program director is also in attendance at the meetings and they might ask for more specific information, which they can forward on to one of three people at the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation working on local, state and national issues. The resources of the Farm Bureau are a huge benefit to membership. Many county Farm Bureaus are very active on local issues and have followed-up by coordinating informational meetings to educate others in the community, legislature and government agencies. One-on-one discussions with state agency commissioners have helped to result in a clear understanding of the concerns that often pit a producer against a regulator.
How is Farm Bureau policy set?
Voting members set all Farm Bureau policy initially through a democratic process of majority rules. It starts in the county when issues (local, state or national) are surfaced and voted on by voting members at the County Farm Bureau annual meeting. The resolutions of state or national interest are then forwarded to the state office to be presented to and voted on by delegates at the Minnesota Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. If they are approved by delegates there, the resolution becomes the state policy of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation. Resolutions of a national nature are forwarded for consideration by the American Farm Bureau delegate body at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting each January.
What is the difference between the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation and Farm Bureau Financial?
Farm Bureau Financial Services is a member service program offered to Farm Bureau members. To participate, an individual must be a paid member of Farm Bureau. The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is the state organization, and it has only 78 paid members who are the 78 organized county Farm Bureaus in Minnesota. They meet each November at an annual meeting with each county sending delegates (based on their membership) to decide the policies and direction of the organization. These delegates also elect the officers of the MFBF.
Who should I contact if I have a governmental question, issue or problem related to my farm?
The first place to start is with your local Farm Bureau office. If they are unable to help you they can direct you to the county president or your regional area program director. The area program director can direct your concern to the proper channels at the state office and make sure that the issue is followed up on.
Who should I contact to become involved in my county Farm Bureau?
Contact your County Farm Bureau office, and they can direct you to the County President, or to one of your neighbors who might be serving as a member of the Board of Directors. Otherwise contact your area program director, and they will be happy to assist you with the membership process.
Click here to find your County Farm Bureau office
Click here to find your area program director
Who should I contact to request Farm Bureau sponsorship of an event?
The best advice would be to contact your area program director who can assist you with contacts with county offices, the state office or other funding options.
