Why I Still Go to the Meeting

Iwent to the American Sugarbeet Growers Association annual meeting again this year.

I haven’t been on that board for seven years now, so why would I go? Long Beach is nice; but if you are going to sit inside and listen to speakers, well, Fargo isn’t bad in the winter if you don’t go out.

The answer is two-fold. First, I have made some good friends, people I respect very much, and the ASGA meeting is a good place to catch up. Second, the board and leadership at CoBank want me to stay connected. Sugar is an important part of American agriculture, and they are amazed at how well “Sugar” works in Washington, D.C.

I would like to take a moment to address that part about effectiveness. All you growers have heard from your ASGA representatives about how good ASGA works. Well, as a seven-year outsider, let me tell you: they are better than you believe, and it is all about the people.

Read our entire issue and back issues. Click here.

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I still get to lobby in D.C. once a year when CoBank meets out there in May. I have helped make our directors better with things I learned in “Luther School:” Everyone must have the same message but tailored to the office you will visit. Tell them why they must care about your position. Credibility without question.

Now the important thing. When I say, “I am a farmer,” the whole focus in the office changes. The Hill staff are so used to hearing from someone who represents someone else that they are refocused when an actual person shows up. This is why Sugar is able to fight many classes above its weight. It’s all about the people — the ASGA members who formulate and learn the message, then put in the time to spread it. Those people put in more effort on your behalf than you will understand, especially at the upper leadership levels.

You cannot thank the ASGA presidents of the present and past enough, including John Snyder, the current one. They should never have to buy breakfast if there is another beet grower in the coffee shop. When they have to go off to another meeting, mow their lawn or blow out their driveway. And when you get that dreaded call from a growers association member asking for a PAC contribution, come on, boys and girls, make their job easy.

Have a safe spring. — David

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David Kragnes farms near Felton, Minn. A former board member and chairman of American Crystal Sugar Company, he currently serves on the CoBank Board of Directors.

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Farm Bill Fun

I signed up for the Farm Bill,
Oh my, what a mess.
I put it off and off ’til I just
Couldn’t stand the stress.

I went to several meetings
To learn about the bill,
To understand more fully
What came down from the Hill.

Not since 8th grade Spanish
Have I been so confused,
With letters mixed and jumbled
And English quite abused.

First came questions about my base:
Should I reallocate?
Then after looking at my yields,
I guess I should update.

The page they put before me
Wasn’t quite correct.
They had wheat where beans were sown;
I guess I’m glad I checked.

Next I have to make a choice:
Should I pick ARC?
Or worry more about the price
And go with PLC?

And if ARC is best
Than CO or IC . . .
The more I read, the more I feel
I’m just D U M B.

One form is simple to fill out,
And that’s 941.
My AGI is not too high,
So that one’s easily done.

I start to get an aching pain
Up where I set my hat.
Explaining this to landlords,
Well yah, good luck with that.

I got it done, I got it in,
And while it wasn’t fun,
At least until mid-April
With FSA, I’m done.

Read our entire issue and back issues. Click here.