95 Years Strong –
Policy, Positive Image, Leadership
Farm Bureau’s standing as the most influential grassroots
farm organization in the world is based on the fact that
by working together, we produce results each and every year.
President’s Message
This year, the Minnesota Farm Bureau
Federation (MFBF) placed a priority on
implementing the new strategic plan in
order to remain a growing, relevant
and effective organization for another
95 years. This new strategic plan, which
we refer to as “Re-defining Relevance,”
identified three major areas of focus
for MFBF: Policy, Leadership and
Positive Image.
Membership
In order for our Farm Bureau to focus
on these areas we need the
membership and revenue streams to
enable us to do so. Thank you to
everyone who asked your friends,
neighbors and families to join the
largest general farm organization in
Minnesota and the United States.
Membership matters, and your efforts
helped Minnesota Farm Bureau grow
our membership in 2013 to 27,609
members. Thank you for your
membership, your engagement and
your desire to be part of the solution.
We have another partner in this
success that we cannot do without and
that is Farm Bureau Financial Services
(FBFS). There are two things we need
to recognize. First, the success of our
affiliated insurance companies is a
direct result of being able to utilize the
name, membership and distribution
infrastructure of the county and state
Farm Bureau organizations. Second, we
must also recognize that our county
and state Farm Bureau Federations
would be smaller and less effective
organizations without the benefits
received from our affiliated companies.
Thank you FBFS for your partnership
and desire to make a positive
difference for farmers and ranchers,
families and rural communities in
Minnesota.
Policy
One of the strengths of our
organization is our grassroots policy
development. Our policy is strong and
respected because of our
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thoroughness and steps in the process.
We continue to see strong
participation at the Council of County
Presidents and Day on the Hill events.
Your efforts to put a face to farming
with your members of the Minnesota
Legislature does have an impact. The
outreach done by county Farm Bureaus
to invite their adopted legislator from
urban communities to tour agriculture
in outstate Minnesota or ride in a
combine do make a difference.
This past year, we saw increased
attendance on our Farmers to
Washington D.C. trips in March and
September. Sharing personal stories on
how legislation affects our families and
our farms are impactful. Much of our
discussion at the national level focused
on Minnesota’s forage shortage and
the need to pass: a five-year farm bill,
agricultural labor reform and
waterways infrastructure.
We also are implementing new ways
for Farm Bureau members to be
involved in our policy development
process. Check out the videos on
youtube.com/MinnesotaFarmBureau.
Positive Image
We continue to re-align and invest
resources to enhance consumer trust
through Minnesota Farmers CARE and
strengthen the Farm Bureau Brand –
Farmers • Families • Food. MFBF has a
greater focus on social media in order
to communicate with you, our
member, as well as consumers seeking
information about agriculture and
Minnesota Farm Bureau.
The website was re-designed and
contains tools and resources for our
members. MFBF is also a member of
U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance
which strives to provide resources for
farmers to engage with consumers and
key influencers. Check out
fooddialouges.com. We are also a part
of Farmers Feed US. Check out the
videos at farmersfeedus.org/mn/ourfarm-families/ – for another great
resource.
A number of programs focus on
communicating and reaching out to the
consumer. Our Ag Cab Lab program is
exhibited at long-term exhibit areas
such as the Children’s Museum of
Rochester or the Headwater’s Science
Museum in Bemidji. Through the Speak
for Yourself program, farmers across
Minnesota presented to over 120
service organizations and community
key influencers about their farms. The
Meeker County Farm Bureau lead a
coalition of county Farm Bureaus from
across the state to communicate how
Minnesota Farmers CARE on billboards
by the state Capitol, Target Field and
during the Minnesota State Fair. Our
Minnesota State Fair efforts reached
over 70,000 consumers with Farm
Bureau promoting our efforts in new
areas through mommy blogger
promotion and state fair apps to name
a few.
We continue to strengthen Farm
Bureau’s identity of Farmers • Families
• Food with members and potential
members while improving consumer
trust through the Minnesota Farmers
CARE initiative.
Leadership Development
Farm Bureau prides itself in
developing strong leaders for rural
communities and local Farm Bureaus.
These efforts begin with our youth
through our partnerships with the FFA
and our state’s agricultural education
teachers/FFA advisors and with our 4-H
clubs at the local level as well as our
working relationship with the state 4-H
ambassadors. We hold yearly trainings
with both the state 4-H Ambassadors
and the state FFA officer team, as well
as, are involved in the Minnesota
Agriculture Ambassador training. These
are just an example of some of the
trainings we are involved with.
We have also had an emphasis on
collegiate Farm Bureaus and collegiate
outreach with the first Collegiate Farm
Bureau meeting held at South Central
Technical College this fall. Our
Collegiate Discussion Meet along with
our Young Farmers and Ranchers
(YF&R) Leadership Contests have seen
an increase in participation. Skills
attained during these leadership
opportunities are applicable in
everyday life and strengthen
agriculture’s voice.
This past year, we refocused and
combined our once separate
Promotion and Education Conference
and YF&R Conference to the
Leadership Conference. Each area has a
learning track with an enhanced focus
on leadership development skills.
We hope this renewed focus helps
increase the effectiveness and
efficiencies of local Farm Bureau
organizations, helps identify new
leaders, expands the membership base
and builds stronger county Farm
Bureaus.
F
arm Bureau is an organization guided and directed by our
nearly 30,000 member families – teachers, farmers,
community leaders, husbands, wives, parents and business
owners. Each one is concerned about their children, families,
communities and making Minnesota a great place to live and
work.
We exist to serve members because we share the values they
hold dear – hard work, love of community, passion for the
land and belief rooted in faith and family. Our services,
programs and benefits are rooted in the causes, concerns and
needs that are important to our members based on their
beliefs and values.
In Closing
We appreciate your membership and
dedication to strengthen Farm
Bureau’s and agriculture’s voice. We
hope that the results of our efforts
make a difference in the strength of
our county Farm Bureaus. I encourage
you to remain engaged and make a
difference. This is a journey not a
destination.
Thank you for your hard work and
dedication to Farm Bureau!
Sincerely,
Kevin Paap, President
Farm Bureau membership dues
are invested in:
w Policy Development
Farm Bureau works to develop, advocate and implement solid,
sound policy.
w Positive Image
Farm Bureau works to enhance consumer trust in farmers.
w Leadership Development
Farm Bureau works to develop effective, engaged leaders.
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