The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is encouraging farm women to get involved in political advocacy as the next election cycle nears. Isabella Chism, Chair of the AFBF Women?s Leadership Committee, says there are many opportunities for women to get involved.
?Some of the possibilities would be as simple as inviting a candidate out to your farm,” Chism said. “That’s always a good way to get your foot in the door. Some of the other things that I think some people often forget about is supporting a candidate that you believe in. But one of the things that I like to suggest is use your comfortable space. I know that there are some women that are more comfortable in a classroom with young children, and so something that they could do would be to invite a candidate to read one of our agriculture books in a classroom.?
Chism said the AFBF has many resources available to help members get started.
?The Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee came out with an Advocacy in Action calendar that reminds us to keep advocacy in front of us every month of the year,” Chism said. “The other thing that anyone can use is go to fbadvocacy.org, and there are many other tools and ideas there as well.?
Chism added that it?s critically important for farmers and ranchers, particularly women, to be involved in political advocacy.
?If we’re not going to be involved in it, others are, and then we’re going to have to live with the results of that,” Chism said. “And women in particular, I believe, bring a balance to the conversation and that’s critical today. Women need to use their natural skills of inclusion and collaborative skills, to bring the sides together.?
For more information, especially on how to get involved in agricultural advocacy, visit fbadvocacy.org.
