President’s Podium: Being an RMFU Member

Why be a member of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union?

I get that question occasionally while I am out representing our members. My response is normally, why would you not be? What other organization can you get the bang for your buck?

• As a member, you can come and share your thoughts on what our policies are. You get a team of experts to take those policies to the legislators and the administrations of our three states and the Federal government. You get detailed information about what has happened and what may be coming.
• We have educational camps and programs for youth, and our Fellows program helps you develop your leadership skills.
• If you have an idea for a cooperative business, you can get help with education and technical information on forming one from our Co-op Development Center.
• We also offer intermittent funding opportunities. Recently, we distributed $160,000 in micro-grants for regenerative agriculture and local food access.
• The AgWell program can help you and your neighbors build that sense of community and give you the tools to get through times of crisis. AgAssist part of AgWell, can provide small assistance that can have a big impact after disasters.
• We have a team of insurance experts that can make sure you are protected and be there to help you through the often complex and difficult process after losses.
• You can be elected as a delegate to National Farmers Union Convention and carry RMFU policy to the national organization, and can attend NFU Fly-In to take those policies to Washington DC.

I could keep going. It seems obvious that more people should be members! I will again task each of you reading this: share what we do. Talk to your friends, neighbors, and family, and tell them they should join. Share with them what membership brings, and help us strengthen our members’ voices.

I also challenge you to get involved. I know life is busy, but I ask each of you to do what you can. Go to our website, follow our social media, and see what we offer that works for you. If policy is your thing, follow progress and share your thoughts throughout the year. If you have an idea for a topic that needs to be discussed, reach out to your Membership staff person, and we can help arrange an event or provide some resources.

Have new ideas? Reach out your district board members with suggestions to improve our work. Together, we can continually keep building this amazing grassroots community that works tirelessly to advocate for our family farms and ranches.