For the Iowa Farmers Union
IFU Members Bring Rural Voice to Washington D.C.
Annually Farmers Union members from across the country make it a priority to attend the Legislative Fly- In to Washington D.C., oftentimes bringing a rural reality check to the halls of Capitol Hill.
This year was no different, nearly 400 Farmers Union members convened for the three-day event, among them a group consisting of IFU leadership, members, and staff, represented priorities specific to Iowa and family farms.
“The impact the voices of our members have in Washington is invaluable in the pursuit of agriculture policy that represents family farmers in Iowa,” IFU President Aaron Heley Lehman says. “ They are able to sit down with senators and representatives and say I have lived your policy and this is how it’s affecting my operation and my family.”
Lehman is not the only one that knows the power behind sharing the stories of rural America with lawmakers.
“They can review numbers and economic impacts all day but when they hear what is actually happening on the ground through authentic personal stories, the good and bad, that’s how good agriculture policy is built,” says Emily Miller, a master’s candidate in rural sociology and IFU beginning farmer.
Miller argues that personal insight can sometimes mean more in the legislative decision-making process than run-of-the-mill statistics.
“The power of personnel narrative will beat out numbers and estimates any day,” Miller says. “This is a tool farmers have that can bring about positive change in the legislature.”
Some members view the Fly-In as a time to give those who are not so boldly heard a voice, reiterating the struggles of friends and family.
“By going to D.C. and talking with our representatives I felt I was speaking for many who feel like they have no voice,” says Joshua Manske, a crop insurance agent and IFU Board of Directors member.
“Farmers aren’t always afforded the luxury of taking time away from their operations to get face-to-face with lawmakers but their stories still need to be told.”
As someone who does not actively farm, Manske says the opportunities of impact at Fly-In carry heavy importance and along with that the responsibility to represent those working in the background.
"When I am in the position to speak with someone who has the power to impact the livelihoods of my farmer friends and those who live in rural communities, I have to act on that opportunity,” Manske says. “I hear stories about the reality of being a producer and I feel like it’s my responsibility to communicate those experiences in a way that can cause positive change.”
For some attendees, the biggest take-away was the actions happening before Fly-In, the behind-the-scenes relationship building that enabled hundreds of Farmers Union members to get an audience with their state’s elected officials.
“It was outstanding to see how much respect Farmers Union has with our elected officials,” says Mike Carberry, an environmental and sustainable agriculture advocate as well as IFU Board of Directors member.
“I've been to D.C. dozens of times during my career but have never had the chance to engage in as many in-person meetings as I did on the Fly-In. The face-to-face experience is unparalleled. This just doesn’t happen with other family farm advocacy groups”
The experience in itself and the sense of community encouraged Ethan Vorhes, a sixth-generation Iowa farmer from Floyd County, to keep fighting the good fight when it comes to agriculture advocacy.
“It was encouraging to meet other farmers at Fly-In that are encountering the same struggles that I am,” Vorhes says. “I felt heard and I know my stories resonated with other Farmers Union members. Collectively we can all work for agriculture policy that benefits people like us and Farmers Union gives us an avenue to do it.”
To learn more about the 2019 Fall Legislative Fly-In or how you can participate in next year’s Fly-In, contact Christina Dexter at 816-738-5402 or cmdexter@iowafarmersunion.org