Planting and harvest seasons receive a lot of attention and deservedly so. The execution of placing seeds in the soil with all the necessary support, care and feed to bring forth a productive result makes all the difference when measuring the success of a harvest.
The intensity, timing, rigor and efficiency of a harvest which grows out of the planting season makes all the difference for success. But maybe even more important than those two seasons is how we prepare for those seasons in the winter. In the mix of our preparation is learning and understanding what legislation is being fomented to change everything.
Key to winter activities mixed with holiday celebrations, industry meetings and taking a bit of a deep breath with thankfulness and recognition of blessings to be able to go another year, are other important thoughtful actions. Mindfulness of legislation being developed by actors that do not have the necessary deep understanding of farming and science our farmers have, can cast a shadow on the blessings and lead to yet another reason for prayer.
Reviewing and assessing your farms operation finances includes strategizing how they will be used to meet next year's goals. Whether it is tax evaluation, cash flow, budgeting, prebuying inputs and other expenses, a sharp mind and pencil are important. Examining market prices, demand and trends to make projections involves wise reflection and minimizing guessing. All this reviewing, analysis and assessment must be made with an understanding of the public policy and programs. This can be complex. It is certainly worthy of reflective time.
Following that reflective time, turning a wrench on equipment maintenance to assure being “ready to roll” is likely to bring a smile after thinking about the politics of anything. So as we get to that mechanical work or enhancing winter preparations for animal safety during the cold season, keep in mind that a visit with legislators might make a difference in educating someone who took a different role in life – legislate. They need us to assist them, and if we don’t show up in some way, they will decide things without us.
Government leaders must come to value connecting our country’s agriculture to family farm ownership, all elements of science and geography as they make policies and programs. We need to use these winter months for all the above, and not forget about how important our voices are to assist our leaders in learning to know what they don’t know. These legislative and program decisions will shape the sustainability of our farms and how people are fed for generations to come.
Key on the legislative agenda is the next Farm Bill. It seems the journey never ends on making the Bill and it must be made in a manner that will allow for the continuation of diversified farm operations based on science and respective geographies. Congress passed an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill in November 2023. This keeps the current Farm Bill in place through September 2024. While this bill averts a government shut down for the time being, it was an important vehicle to fund some farm programs that would have lost funding on January 1, 2024. This extension makes it essential to have lively conversations about the necessary mechanics of this next Farm Bill in the first half of 2024 so our farms can produce plenty in the future.
We cannot have success and prosperity in our planting and harvest without these important winter exercises. As preparations are made to plant and harvest, appreciation for the other parts of farming need to be embraced to include communication with legislative leaders.
To view the article in the online 2024 Winter Partners Magazine, click here.
