You Know You Want to be a Farmer Like Tim.

lobby, n. (pl. lobbies)
2 a group of people seeking to influence politicians or public officials on a particular issue: members of the pro-farming lobby [as modifier] : lobby groups

This process is still quite foreign to me-  a bit grassroots; but I suppose that is what differentiates our democracy and process from others. In fact, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) prides itself on its grassroots approach to doing business. Their mission statement reads: 

AFBF is the unified national voice of agriculture, working through our grassroots organizations to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities. 

I realize lobbying is a way of life on Capitol Hill, but for anyone this side of the hill it is something to behold. Out of the three office visits we made, we successfully met with two (probably because I'm awesome?). We first sat down to visit with Sen. John Thune's advisor, Lynn Tjeerdsma, in the Dirksen building. We were seated  in their conference/meeting room, around a large rectangle table- much like what you might see in your own place of employment. Unless you're a farmer, and then your office looks a lot like the outdoors. Our visit went well, and that's likely because Thune has many of the same concerns we do for issues facing agriculture. 

For instance, the Department of Labor (DOL) wants to tighten child labor laws as it relates to kids (not) being able to work on their own families' farm. Read HERE for a more detailed explanation from AFBF. All I know is I don't want to grow up in an age where I have to tell my kids they can't operate an electric screwdriver because the government says it's too dangerous. I can't make this stuff up.

We also discussed the ever-elusive 2012 Farm Bill with both Thune's office as well as some of the staff of the House Agriculture Committee. The bill must either be extended or reauthorized by October 1, 2012. We were told the new bill proposal is expected to be ready anywhere between Easter and Memorial Day. Hmmm. 

Chief Economist of the House Ag Committee, Craig Jagger (white beard)

Room where we received most of our briefings from AFBF staff lobbyists

I realize this sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo- and it kind of is. But the bottom line is this: people of the world need to eat, populations are growing, more food will need to be produced to meet those growing demands and we need legislation passed that protects those producers (farmers, like Tim) so safe food can continue to be put on your table. And that process, in a sense, begins with things like a successful Farm Bill. 

Fun Farm Fact: in 2008, farmers produced 262% MORE food with only 2% fewer inputs (labor, seeds, feed, fertilizer, etc.) compared with 1950
*fact courtesy of AFBF