The farm community isn't going to get bigger. So we must get more effective at presenting agriculture's case to the public and to the government. If the recent national elections showed anything, it was the importance of small groups cooperating for a common goal. It's called cohesion. In agriculture we need to be far more effective at sticking together.

MFA Incorporated is not a political organization. We were born as such. But in the early 1980s, we realized that our focus must be on the business of agriculture, both from our producers' standpoint and from our own. We continue to interact with elected leaders and voice our concerns, needs and objectives. We explain the practical world of agriculture to our elected leaders. But we are not a lobby or trade association. We cannot be all things to all people in today's specialized world. Many important organizations do fill that role.

Farm Bureau does an excellent job. Thirty years ago, Farm Bureau and MFA didn't always head in the same direction. Both organizations have grown into very good working relationships. I urge all of MFA's members to support Farm Bureau in their efforts. Farm Bureau fills a large part but only one part of today's agriculture.

Today's producer groups are doing an excellent and effective job of representing farmers and ranchers. Checkoffs are under fire from many sides. Memberships aren't. Get involved. I strongly urge everyone in agriculture today to join not just one but multiple producer groups like the Cattlemen's Association, the Corn Growers, the Dairy Association, the Pork Producers, the Poultry Federation, the Soybean Association, etc. Of course, I've missed a group or two, but my intention is not to list everyone. My intention is to stress the importance today of joining these associations to positively affect agriculture.

Why?

We cannot afford to watch from the sidelines. Again, agriculture's influence continues to erode. Look at key issues today. Look at the activist groups that have agriculture in their sights. And realize that all of us in agriculture have far more in common than ever. In agriculture all of today's issues and producers share common ground. As Dale Ludwig of the Missouri Soybean Association pointed out during the Governor's Conference a few years ago, "A chicken is a soybean with wings."

Whether your particular focus is beef cows, corn, dairy, soybeans, poultry, wheat or pork, in the majority of cases your interests closely coincide with all others in agriculture. Let's be effective. Let's make the membership rolls swell with new members. There is no good reason not to be involved with several groups that represent your interests.

The national (and individual state) grain associations represent your interests daily. They focus on advancing biodiesel, biotechnology, ethanol, transportation, trade, rural development, research and livestock. From public policy to production to legislative action, today's producer groups are the voice of individual farmers in national affairs, in courtrooms, in public forums and in the regulatory arena.

Need help in modernizing locks and dams? The grain groups take your opinion to the highest levels in government. After all, transportation is the lifeblood of the U.S. grain industry. And grain prices figure prominently in livestock prices. Support ethanol or biodiesel production? We all use fuel. Let's help the suburban crowd use more of ours. Creating demand for member crops is a priority. As such, all the grower groups push for effective public policy. Think international trade agreements need teeth? Look no further than all of these effective organizations. Most of these mainstream groups lobby effectively for the advancement of biotechnology, for reduction of foreign tariffs, for modernizing the farm bill and for effective disaster legislation.

As I put this together, the Colorado Beef Council sent an e-mail announcing America's beef producers are cooperating with United Service Organizations (USO) to supply high quality beef jerky to our American service members overseas. Beef jerky, it seems, is one of the most requested items by troops. The Colorado Beef Council is coordinating efforts for all state beef councils and state cattlemen's organizations asking for financial support. Think that's not a public relations success story delivered to the American public? It's also a great way to deliver a bit of home to our soldiers who are in harm's way.

With the same electronic delivery, I received notice that the National Cattlemen's Beef Association was formally protesting the European Union's hormone ban. Their news release ended with this statement: "NCBA will assist in the pursuit of any legal action against the EU that may benefit the U.S. beef industry in its long battle to gain relief from the EU hormone ban on beef. The EU ban is pure protectionism, and U.S. cattlemen will continue to fight the EU on this matter."

Sounds to me like these guys have agriculture's interests front and center, just the way it should be-whether you're a beef producer or a corn grower.