Greene County Farm Bureau advocates up for local farmers
From raising more than $100,000 for gates at the Greene County Fairgrounds to teaching children through agricultural labs in school, the Greene County Farm Bureau is a nonprofit set on showing just how important farming is.
“We’re primarily a grassroots lobbying organization. We lobby on behalf of our members regarding policies that are farming related,” said Tyler Anderson, bureau director. “Most of us, legislators included, don’t know why you’d need a 16-foot right-of-way for a tractor. We’re building relationships with our legislators, inviting them into the county and educating about what our farmers need.”
The American Farm Bureau Federation is a national organization with state and county chapters across the country leading a concentrated effort in their hometowns.
The nonprofit was formed in 1919 with the intent to give farmers and ranchers a voice and a seat at the table in shaping policies that impact the agricultural community. Of course, the more people come together, the more things seem to get done.
In addition to lobbying and advocating for members, the farm bureau has created several programs aimed at educating others, such as Young Farmers and Ranchers, Women’s Leadership, and Promotion and Education.
The Women’s Leadership program encourages women to become advocates. The often overlooked community in the agricultural industry accounts for 25% of farmers in the state of Pennsylvania, and the program provides educational opportunities to strengthen their businesses.
At the local level, the Greene County Farm Bureau is offering tours, inviting leaders to see what they are doing and answering questions. For example, they are discussing the uptick in damage caused by deer, and prioritizing solutions to save crops.
They’re not only educating legislators and other leaders in government, they are educating the community, including the youngest residents.
“We visit more than 150 schools each year with our interactive (agricultural) lab. We take it to fairs and festivals, and students learn more about agriculture and why it’s important,” Anderson said.
It’s not uncommon for youth to not know where their food comes from, and even many adults don’t know the work and dedication it takes to produce and deliver crops.
In the interactive lab, students learn about food production, how to build a balanced meal, experience a virtual tractor ride, and find out what it takes to bring food from the field to the table.
Safety is another important aspect the Farm Bureau supports. They help communities raise funds for items to make farming safer.
Anderson said most recently, several counties purchased grain rescue tubes for those working in the grain bins – anything to make the process safer in the industry.
They network with health care professionals and first responders. They also promote and encourage safe practices through offering training opportunities and increasing public awareness.
“We want to be the farmer’s voice, and we want to help in any way we can,” Anderson said.
The nonprofit offers a membership opportunity for full benefits of the program, but anyone can participate and learn more at https://pfb.com/reasons-to-join/.