Grassroots policy development is hallmark of Farm Bureau

Huron, SD — County Farm Bureau organizations across South Dakota are holding policy development meetings during July and August, in preparation for resolutions being due to the state office by Sept. 9. All policy positions taken by Farm Bureau at the state and national levels are developed by and voted on by its grassroots membership.

“This is a busy time of the year for us at Farm Bureau, as all of our county organizations are gathering their members for policy development meetings,” said Scott VanderWal, farmer from Volga, S.D. and President of the South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB). “We are extremely proud of our grassroots policy-making, where every one of our farm and ranch members can participate and have a say in shaping Farm Bureau’s stance on issues important to agriculture.”

Farm Bureau members are encouraged to check with their county leaders regarding the dates and details of upcoming resolutions meetings in their area.

The SDFB State Resolutions Committee will meet on Sept. 14 in Fort Pierre to review and organize resolutions for the policy book. Delegates from each county organization will vote on the resolutions during SDFB’s 98th annual meeting, set for Nov. 20-21 in Pierre.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general agriculture organization, representing more than 15,000 farm, ranch and rural families across the state. The organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017.