Making History

A little over a year ago a movement to help American family farmers and ranchers started out of frustration with...oddly enough, California family farmers and ranchers. The movement? "I Love Farmers...They Feed My Soul." http://www.ilovefarmers.org/

California agriculture got its collective ass kicked in an election by a group of radical animal rights people...the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). It was called Proposition 2. In essence, HSUS spent millions of dollars on a campaign to get voters to vote yes on legislation that will forever effect how farmers and ranchers will do business. Don't believe everything you read, but you can find out more at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_2_(2008)

This big debacle changed the landscape of animal agriculture in America. It started a war that will be waged in every state over time. There will be blood. California agriculture was the first casualty. Like Pearl Harbor, farmers and ranchers where caught off guard never expecting such a well planned and sophisticated attack on their production practices. We tried to fight with science and fiscal logic. They killed us with emotion and horrific (by anyone's standards) images of pitiful looking farm animals.

Anyways, I saw how poorly those of us in agriculture responded and knew something must be done. Consumers do not understand our industry and quite frankly, could care less about "agriculture." But, based on many studies, they do like and trust "farmers." Agriculture to many people is a faceless enemy; however, farmers and ranchers are hardworking, humble and honest people who toil everyday on the working landscapes of our rural communities. They can't be all bad. People love farmers and I thought we should do something to remind consumers and voters of the value of American family farmers and ranchers. Let's connect emotionally! Everybody eats and loves food. Let's hit 'em in their belly and their hearts; their heads will follow.

With a band of young people and a colorful logo, I set out to have some fun while doing something very serious. Having taught for the past 26 years, I know a thing or two about kids. So we printed up a bunch of t-shirts, developed a website and launched a full scale frontal attack using social media. We sold a bunch of shirts and hats, we did a bunch press interviews and we started a national conversation about farmers and ranchers. Our Facebook group grew by the thousands each day. Today we have nearly 27,000 in our group. People from literally all over the world were sending us emails. Holy crap. This deal is getting huge, "I Love Farmers...They Feed My Soul" was everywhere! We were getting everywhere and nowhere at the same time. We like to say our "passion is deep, but our pockets are shallow."

Early on we were  blessed with the leadership and vision of the California Women for Agriculture (CWA). These ladies took a risk and partnered with us to launch a couple of projects and helped us get our feet under us, so to speak. CWA members Celeste Settrini and JoAnn Wall became our biggest cheerleaders when we went to the CWA Board. The collective leadership of these ladies has been tremendous! They took a risk. I know that, but I also know, if I say I'm gonna do something, I do it. It has worked out really well. If you see a pink I Love Farmers...They Feed My Soul shirt you'll know that is CWA and us working together. Find out more about them at http://californiawomenforagriculture.com/

A young lady named Annalisa Clarke managed the day-to-day operations. She did a great job. But as you all know, ya still gotta pay the bills and well, this deal wasn't paying the bills. She now works for U.S. AgriSeeds and is doing well.

We weren't set up in a way people could understand. Hell, we were evolving by the minute. The young people were a loose knit group of kids "looking for the yellow brick road" that would get people back to the farm. I was the grey haired wizard of oz behind the strategic curtain.

Fast forward.

We learned a lot in the past 18 months. We knew we had to mature. We had to change. And as fate would have it, young people don't mind change. They agreed to make some changes to this little project that got way outta hand. We needed to be a non-profit, tax exempt organization if we were to go to the next level of "agvocacy."

Cool. Do you know how expensive and convoluted that bureaucratic process is? Good Lord.

Ah, but there were some other angels who blessed us! The California Cattle Women! They agreed to support the legal fees needed to get us transitioned to a non-profit organization. It has been a long, but exciting journey.  http://www.cattlewomen.org/

Tonight we made history. A newly formed, first ever Board of Directors met at the Apple Farm Restaurant in San Luis Obispo, California. Its first order of business was to ratify the founding by-laws of "I Love Farmers...They Feed My Soul." Its official.

In the coming days you'll hear more about these pioneering young leaders who make up the board. You'll be impressed.

I don't know about you, but over the years I have served on several non-profit boards. It seemed rather easy. Simple really. Do some good work and they keep you around, elect you to office and it's business as usual. Not a big deal, just part of trying to do your part for your industry, community, school...whatever.

Well, this is the first time I have been at the founding meeting of a non-profit organziation that will hopefully be a household name when you talk about American family farmers and ranchers! It feels good. I'm excited. Tonight I was a small part of history.

By the way - we could use your support. Buy a shirt. You too can be a part of history!

Scott