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Essay / Farm Bureau Leading the Challenge - 795
Imagine owning the perfect farm, the perfect house, the perfect pastures and exceptional thriving crops. What happens in the event of a flood or fire? Suddenly everything changes. You don't have that perfect farm anymore. You may not even have a home anymore, let alone a way to support yourself and your family. Who was supposed to protect you and everything you had at that time? The answer is simple: the Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau is the world's largest general agricultural organization and the voice of agriculture. However, most people would think that Farm Bureau can't be that big, but Farm Bureau actually has more than six million member families across the country and in Puerto Rico. Statistics show that three out of four people involved in a farm organization actually belong to the Farm Bureau. One of the main reasons so many people want to be part of the Farm Bureau is that the Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization, meaning the members are the voice. Although most people may think that the Farm Bureau suddenly became a national organization, the Farm Bureau Federation actually began in the state of Missouri. On March 24, 1915, ten county representatives met in Saline County, Missouri, with the goal of protecting the agricultural industry and improving the quality of life for residents of rural Missouri. By 1919, farmers in thirty states, including Missouri, saw a need. They met in Chicago and formed the American Farm Bureau Federation. In 1919, they had only one goal: to speak for themselves, with the help of their own national organization. Since 1919, the Farm Bureau has operated under a philosophy that states: "to analyze the problem of farmers and to develop a plan of action for those problems" (Missouri). For the past 94 years, the A...... middle of paper ...... Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence Competition and Agricultural Excellence Award. Who would have ever thought that an independent, volunteer organization that operates at the local, state and national levels could have such a significant impact? Farm Bureau is the organization that protects you, what you own, and what you believe in. They're the ones leading the challenge, right? Works Cited “Agriculture in the Classroom”. Missouri Farm Bureau Federation. Internet. September 12, 2013. “Clean Water Act.” Federation of agricultural offices. Internet. September 14, 2013. “EPA.” Summary of the Clean Water Act. Internet. October 13, 2013. “Insurance Credit and Discounts.” » Farm Bureau Financial Services. Agricultural office. Internet. August 30, 2013. “Legislative Issues.” Missouri Farm Bureau Federation. Internet. October 10, 2013. “Missouri Farm or Home Insurance – Discounts.” » Missouri Farm Bureau Federation. Internet. September 13. 2013.