East Feliciana farmer represents Louisiana on AFBF panel discussion
AMELIA KENT, A BEEF CATTLE AND HAY FARMER REPRESENTING THE LOUISIANA FARM BUREAU, PARTICIPATES IN AN ADVOCACY PANEL DURING THE 101ST AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION AND TRADE SHOW JAN. 18 IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. KENT DISCUSSED WAYS TO ADVOCATE WITH CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS AND STAFFERS FOR AGRICULTURE ISSUES. PHOTO BY LOUISIANA FARM BUREAU
By CHUCK CANNON
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
AUSTIN, Texas – Amelia Kent, a beef cattle and hay farmer from East Feliciana Parish and member of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, was part of a panel discussion that discussed the best tools for creating maximum impact when communicating how issues affect a farm or ranch.
The discussion was held Jan. 18 during the 101st Annual American Farm Bureau Federation and Trade Show in Austin, Texas.
Also on the panel were Cody Lyon, managing director of Advocacy and Political Affairs Programs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Tripp Coffield, public policy associate, Georgia Farm Bureau,
Kent said that for the most past, the Louisiana delegation in Congress is friendly to the farm bureau.
“I personally have never had any negative experiences,” said Kent, who is a graduate of Partners in Advocacy Class 9.
The two-year PAL program offers young farmers and ranchers, age 30-45, an executive-type curriculum that provides participants with unique opportunities to represent agriculture in the media, on speaking circuits or in testimonial arenas.
Kent said when going to Washington to advocate for your organization it’s important not to get discouraged if you have difficulty getting in to see a particular lawmaker or staff member. She also advised to always be polite – whatever the circumstances.
“There is a lot of turnover among Congressional staffers, and they often move from one Congressman or Senator to another,” she said. “It pays to develop good working relationships with them.”
Kent noted that no two people are the same, and everyone has different issues that affect them.
“If you can convey the potential impacts of how that policy affects you on your farm to that staffer or Congressman, that’s what they need to know,” she said. “The personal side, not the facts and figures, the stats, but how it really affects you. Convey your own story -- your day-to-day -- back to them.”
Each of the panel members related examples of how personal stories were effective in getting messages across to Congress. Kent said sometimes that is difficult for her as she is a numbers person. But she understands the importance of developing relationships and sharing personal stories to get concerns known to the lawmakers who can do something about them.
“I hope the biggest take away for the audience today was picking up a couple of pointers to improve efforts on what they are already doing,” she said. “Advocacy is crucial in conveying the impact of certain policies and issues to your Congressmen. It’s especially important in agriculture because there are so few of us (farmers) in the population.
Kent said that while it’s good to visit representatives in Washington, it’s not mandatory.
“But you can more easily develop relationships where you become the go-to person for them if they have a question about agriculture, either by providing them information or getting them in contact with someone who can provide the information,” she said.
Kent said the Louisiana Farm Bureau leadership visits Washington once or twice a month.
“This is an excellent opportunity to provide young staffers, who might know very little about agriculture, information that will help educate them on what the ag industry is all about,” she said.
Kent said it’s just as important to reach out to local staffers and keep them informed on issues affecting your farm.
“Invite them to your farm and let them see your operation, see what you actually do and how you are affected by what goes on in Congress,” she said.
Kent said she was happy to represent the Louisiana Farm Bureau on the panel.
“My participation on the advocacy panel really signifies how strong Louisiana Farm Bureau’s relationship with our Congressional delegation is, and the efforts and investments we make in fostering those strong relationships,” she said.