Exercise your voice for agriculture -- vote Nov. 6

Monica Stevens of Altona, Knox County, chairs the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader State Committee.

Compiled by staff

Published: Oct 29, 2012

We are the voice of agriculture.

With the issues farmers face in agriculture, it is crucial to have a strong voice. Making our voice heard is extremely important and is becoming increasingly so.

Farming not only is our business but our way of life. It needs to be protected.

What can you do?

Be informed and stay up to date on agricultural issues.

Establish a good working relationship with your legislators and keep in contact with them.

Vote on issues affecting agriculture. It is our responsibility!

I encourage everyone to get involved! An easy way to get involved is by joining FB ACT, the Farm Bureau Agricultural Contact Team. Visit {www.ilfb.org} for more information on becoming an FB ACT member.

Grassroots involvement, such as FB ACT, influences lawmakers’ decisions made in Springfield and Washington, D.C., affecting your family farm. Let your voice for agriculture be heard.

I grew up on a cattle farm and started raising cattle when I was in 4-H. Raising cattle taught me numerous things that made me into who I am.

The proposed restrictions in federal child labor law would have directly affected children raised on a farm. That was extremely concerning to me. As an FB ACT member, I received an email notice of an action request to contact my legislator.

In response to the request, I emailed my legislators to help them understand how the proposed changes would have negatively affected children growing up on family farms. Fortunately, the Department of Labor withdrew the proposed changes.

As a woman raising cattle, I am actively involved in production agriculture. I need to be represented, and my voice needs to be heard. Making sure my opinions matter is important.

After graduating from college, I became a member of Knox County Farm Bureau. My advocacy of agriculture has increased over the past 10 years.

I proudly represented District 4 as a representative on the Illinois Beef Association for the checkoff division from 2005 to 2011.

For 11 years, I served on the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association and held the positions of president and vice president. Promoting beef and educating consumers about beef and the beef industry are true passions of mine.

In 2009, I was elected the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee District 8 representative. Currently, I serve as chair of the Young Leader State Committee.

Agriculture is my passion. I am truly blessed for the opportunities and experiences I have had in agriculture. Trough my experiences, I have found my voice.

Whether your passion is in raising cattle, or growing corn or soybeans, be the voice for agriculture. Let your voice for agriculture be heard. Vote in November!

Your voice. Your vote. You are the voice of agriculture.
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