Building a successful ag-based grassroots program served as the meeting topic for the Iowa Chapter’s monthly meeting on January 29, in Johnston, Iowa. Michelle Elliot, the Grassroots Program Manager from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, served as the keynote speaker.

In addition to providing an overview of the Iowa Farm Bureau’s program and their member-driven policy development programs, Michelle provided some key take-home points that apply in all areas of agri-marketing:

• Create a culture of activism. Actively motivate stakeholders to act, believe or understand. Provide follow up or reward when action is taken.
• Make sure everyone is on the same page with your message. Speaking with one voice is critical.
• Be sure to understand your audience, their needs, interests and concerns.

For example, Elliot noted that farmers really have two jobs, employee and owner, and their daytime hours are often filled with the day-to-day responsibilities of the operation. Schedule activities around their schedule, not yours.

The program closed with a recap of the Iowa Farm Bureau’s current legislative and policy development priorities and an interactive question/answer session.