Hi there – Long time, no update.
We wrapped up harvest last Halloween, cleaned up equipment, left the field for the winter, and I ran fresh out of ideas of what to talk about. One challenge I have during the off-season is deciding what to talk about when I lose my sources for photos.
I work full-time off the farm for an agriculture organization representing farmers. While it’s been great working from home nearly every day (thanks, global pandemic), it’s still challenging to get out to the farm while it’s still light out since the sun sets so early. And my options for photos are even more limited when everything is covered in snow. But I did finally get the photo of cover crops in the snow I’ve always wanted a few weeks ago!
But just because I’m not out at the farm doesn’t mean that work has ceased altogether. I’m reluctant to show the less glamorous, yet incredibly important, side of farming on social media: the paperwork. It’s just not that exciting.
Until I started farming, I had NO IDEA how much paperwork was involved. You’ve got reporting the Farm Service Agency office requires (mostly related to crop insurance). I have to prepare my annual balance sheet and crop plan for my bank and the FSA office to satisfy the requirements of my land loan. There’s also tax preparation, which requires me to tie up the loose ends on my yearly budget tracking spreadsheet so I know exactly how much I spent on what related to the farm.
Beyond the paperwork, we’re also planning for the year ahead. I’ve already secured my soybean seed for the upcoming year as well as most of the other things I’ll need to grow the soybean crop. I’ve even sold some of my future crop that I will harvest and deliver to the elevator next fall.
Off the farm, we’re also closely following the news and what’s happening in local government, Springfield, and Washington, D.C. This is something I watch both as a farmer and as part of my full-time role.
Why do legislative issues matter to farmers?
Ultimately, the way I choose to farm is dictated by society and the government. That’s not to say the government tells me what to grow and exactly how to grow it – but they can encourage or discourage practices through legislation. Additionally, how society thinks of my farming practices is incredibly important – I want you to trust how I manage my farm and know that farmers have the best interests for the land in mind.
Right now, we’re particularly interested in how a new administration decides to address climate issues in regard to agriculture. Will they choose to incentivize certain practices that benefit the land and atmosphere? Will that change be voluntary?
Agriculture has a lot of opportunity to participate in the climate conversation, and we want to make sure that our voices are represented at the table. This goes for other topics as well – representation of all industries and geographies, including agriculture and rural America, is important when making decisions that affect everyone.
How can you get involved and speak up for farmers?
Did you know you can be an influencer on behalf of Illinois farmers? Voice For Soy is a program through the Illinois Soybean Growers that allows you to be in-the-know when it comes to legislation important to farmers, like myself, and provides a platform to allow your voice to be heard.
It’s super-easy to sign up – just text SOY to 52886. If you use code GracieVFS when you sign up, you’ll be entered for a chance to win an RTIC water jug, which is perfect to keep in the tractor during busy seasons, like planting, which is coming up quickly!
In full disclosure, I’m a current Voice For Soy Partner. This is an important and beneficial program for farmers and hope that you’ll consider learning more about it at www.ilsoygrowers.com. Just know that I wouldn’t agree to something like this unless I believed in the purpose behind the program. 😉
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