The Makings of a Great Association Soup

Part 1: The right mix of ingredients

Grassroots Association comprised of members from assortment of geographic locations, experiences, knowledge, personalities, and age can create the makings of great soup. However improperly building a leadership team without the balance of these great ingredients can cause the mission of organization to scorch.

So what are the ingredients of great association soup?

All organizations have members who serve as the water holding tight to the traditions and history of the group. These special members usually represent or perhaps are actual founding members of the organization. Their role is more valuable than historian but as solid foundation that establishes the reason for forming the organization. Their experiences hold the key to wisdom and many mistakes can be avoided if newer members take the time to listen.

The water remains at a simmer if the normal procedure is followed at all times. However, when the traditions are challenged the water begins to boil.

Noodles come in all shapes and sizes. Some are fun and a great source for building morale. Others are curvy and unpredictable. Managing the focus of the noodle can be frustrating. The fun, colorful noodle can remind the group that all work and no play make an organization dull and lack appeal to new members. An effective organization has members that build relationships and welcome the perspective of others.

The unpredictable noodle can at times be frustrating to productivity. When the actual business needs to be discussed or hard decisions needed to be made the noodle will appear limp and lifeless often removing themselves from tough situations and absence during strategic planning, controversial topics, or mind-numbing tasks.

The Meat of the organization is the workers, current leaders, and future leaders who see the vision and make it happen. They roll up their sleeves, take on challenges head on, and never back down during difficult situations. When tenderize or properly seasoned the meat can be versatile accepting to all perspective before making decisions.

The Vegetables can be a great mix of new and old. The baby vegetables can sprout new ideas and life. The stable vegetable can provide the common ground between traditional and new. They welcome new ideas, cultivate the new members, and embrace change with caution. Like the meat group, the vegetable can be dependable team players bringing essential sources to the growth of the organization.

The spice of the group is always introducing contrary thoughts. These individuals will question the action of the organization. Sometimes they are viewed as the cayenne pepper but play an important role to analyze decisions and make all members especially leaders accountable to the group’s goals and not individual’s initiatives. They challenge the group with fire and can be the source of the water to boil. However marinated with the meat, this type of member can become the visionary of the organization and advance it to new heights.

It is important to recognize that each ingredient can take the flavor of any other ingredient. All members properly prepared can add essential nutrients to the organization.

You joined a Grassroots Association and invest personal time as a volunteer because you passionately believe in the mission of the organization. So as a member it is your responsibility to elect the right ingredients to an executive board. A leadership team with the right balance from each ingredient category could be the secret recipe of success to accomplish the goals of the association and does not become cloudy with the personal agenda of an individual.

Wordless Wednesday: The Beauty of Harvest

I am blessed

God has blessed me in many ways: a wonderful healthy family, abundant friends, and beautiful land to raise crops and animals. I am proud that I join fellow Corn Growers to produce more than 9,000 pounds per acre. I am proud to produce 48 pounds of protein-enrich meal and 11 pounds of oil from each 60 pounds of soybeans. I am proud to produce a premier naturally nutrient-rich food, Beef, packed with essential nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin B, and protein.

Over the weekend, I learned that I was selected as Monsanto’s Farm Mom of the Year for the Midwest Region. I was extremely blessed to learn that my precious daughter with assistance of my loving husband submitted the nomination.
When I received the call, I could not wrap my mind around the announcement. At the time I was joining fellow women in agriculture to kick-off the first annual Women Changing the Face of Agriculture – a career exploration event for women of all ages in Illinois. I was so committed to making sure I did my part to give attendees from high school through college a positive network that my reaction was hidden in the flurry of activities.

Now with the voting underway, it is started to sink in. I am blessed to have such a supportive family. All Farm Moms are Priceless. Each mom has her own role on the farm and a story to tell. I am honored to represent the Midwest Region Farm Moms who go the extra mile everyday for her own family, friends, community, and more importantly for agriculture.

I urge everyone this busy spring farming season to remember to give each family member an extra hug, thank your parents-spouse-grandparents-kids, be safe, and take the time to share a meal on the tailgate. For parents with child[ren] in your home do not forget to seize the opportunities to educate your child about agriculture every day, explain why you farm, and how important your farming and/or ranching operation is to your community, state, and the world. Together we can bridge the agricultural information divide.

You can read my nomination at http://www.monsanto.com/americasfarmers/moms/vote.asp and if you so incline show your support.

Go Ag!

My message to Illinois Agriculture Groups for Illinois Ag Legislative Day. Today I served as their chairperson and MC the event. Celebrate National Ag Week!

Friends of Agriculture:

Illinois Agriculture History has taught us that fortitude by sincere hard-working individuals has resulted in 28 million acres of Illinois farmland returning over 9 billion dollars to the state’s economy. As a state that economically benefits immensely from agriculture’s productivity, the investment on sustaining the future of the industry is not equivalent.

A new decade is upon us. The challenges before the agriculture producer are mighty. As a producer, outsmarting Mother Nature, paying sharply escalating production expenses, receiving low commodity prices, and managing hidden costs due to increased regulations has compounded into a tornado of anxiety and uncertainty.

The image of the farmer and/or rancher is repeatedly being tarnished. One non-profit group has loudly announced the desire to end animal agriculture. Other groups silently sneak behind the scene to manipulate legislation and agencies’ rulemaking to make the business of agriculture expensive and impossible to partake in. Regulations and legislation based on emotions and not on accurately documented science can unravel any advancement in technology.

Are the negative attacks results of pure ignorance of agriculture? It is well document that the average American is three generations removed from the farm. This removal from the everyday operations of a working farm, leads to many myths about agriculture.

As an individual involved in agriculture we must come to terms that we are not just a member of organization or single commodity producer but an interconnected portion of entire industry. Revealing the truth about agriculture maybe as simple as becoming an AGVOCATOR (borrowing from fellow Ag Twitters). Speak out for agriculture everyday in the checkout line, in a classroom, or with a lawmaker.

Today’s technology has created a new frontier for Agvocating by using Smart Media. Realizing the average farmer in Illinois can operate a yield monitor or read a text on the local markets but do not attempt to turn on the computer. Tweeting on Twitter has opened the door for communication between farmers but more importantly to non-agriculture individuals from across the world. Everyday millions are discussing agriculture online. If actual farmers are not present for the online discussion then a simple mislead statement can lead to outlandish campaign against the practices of agriculture.

Together as a member of the agriculture community we must take a STAND and communicate that Agriculture is vital part of Illinois’ economy but more importantly an essential part of feeding the growing world population. We cannot do this without anticipating and participating in the legislative process. Agriculture leaders go forth and begin building strong relationships with lawmakers and government officials.
Government Officials and Legislators we encourage you to opening a dialogue with the agriculture leaders listed in this directory. Together we can sustain and strengthen the agricultural economy by investing in its future. GO AG!

Sincerely,
Cheryl Day, Chairperson

Youth, Our Role Model for Passion

As I launch my first blog post, I reflect on my past weekend activities at the state beef expo. It was refreshing to take a break from the piles of snow and cold temperatures to mingle with fellow beef producers from all generations.

As I participated in various meetings and activities the weekend festivities provided, I was inspired by vibrant young leaders who hold raising beef animals very near and dear to their hearts. As they discuss plans to host a large regional show, career plans, and the next steps of education; it was apparent that their future plans all surrounded around raising cattle.

Unfortunately, I became worrisome that the future of raising beef may not be an option for these young people. Negative portrayals of animal agriculture, hidden agendas, and legislation guided by emotions and not facts could eliminate our right to raise livestock.

As I switched gears and entered into the adult arena, it surfaced that the everyday battles with Mother Nature and the art of being a successful business has the adults going through the motions. Deep down we all once shared that same gleam in our eyes but the redundant tasks of raising animals and tilling the soil has worn on our excitement for the business.

Let’s take a lesson from these young energetic ranchers. Do not lose your passion for agriculture. Wear it on your sleeve with pride. Combating the war on agriculture will take all farmers and ranchers, female and male-young and old, to interconnect. We need to set personal agendas aside, step out of our comfort zone, and form a network that stands up for the TRUTH ABOUT AGRICULTURE or there will be no business of Agriculture.