Land&People Advocating for agriculture The voice of agriculture is a whisper without everyone standing up together
C by Gregg Patterson
Cassie Davis wants to know why many
young people have become uninterested in involvement in community or organizational-based programs, much less leadership positions. The 30-year-old, mother of two who shares responsibilities with her husband, Scott, on their Prairie Grove dairy farm wants to be the exception. That’s why she applied to be a part of Arkansas Farm Bureau’s initial
No whispering allowed Dairy farmer Cassie Davis wants everybody talking when it comes to agriculture advocacy. She says, “We can no longer stay on our farms and hope everyone understands or expect common sense to guide those who are so removed from the farm.”
President’s Leadership Council. “I saw the leadership council as an
organizations to develop leaders that will
leadership comes from a willingness to
opportunity to grow. I’m rarely content
advocate for farmers and help them to
learn, change and grow,” she said. “Great
with just knowing what I know,” Davis
stand up together and tell their stories.”
leaders inspire faith in those who follow.
said. “I want to learn more, do more and
Davis likes to think her voice matters
see more. I also want to teach more. I
and it can make a difference, yet is
love to advocate for agriculture.”
realistic enough to know that in and
Davis believes agriculture needs
Without inspiration, the desire to stand up for a cause goes away. “Leadership begins when one person
of itself, that voice is small. However,
decides to be responsible for a group’s
advocates now more than ever and sees a
combine it with others like her, and her
interest. That leadership succeeds when
role for herself in making that happen.
role becomes bigger than herself.
that person is able to lead and follow
“In the past, there wasn’t a need to
“The voice of agriculture is a whisper
at the same time. The two go hand in
explain where food comes from or what
without everyone standing up together,”
it takes to get it to the table. Farmers
she said. “We can no longer stay on our
never really had to defend their practices
farms and hope everyone understands or
able hands with leaders like Cassie Davis.
or try to explain how much hard work
expect common sense to guide those that
She understands the need to fulfill her
goes into producing the things that
are so removed from the farm.”
role in telling that story and the need
people can’t live without,” she said.
Davis says she’s been surrounded by
hand.” Telling the agriculture story will be in
to give back to the way of life in which
“Farming isn’t something you do for the
leaders all her life, at school, at church,
money. You do it, because it’s in your
in the home. The best she says are the
blood. And when something is that close
ones who realize and understand that
What we give back helps define us as
to your heart, defending it is necessary.
their leadership is inextricably tied to
people,” she said. “We have seen success
Agriculture catches a lot of heat because
those who follow them.
and experienced failure. Giving back is
of practices that others may not understand. It’s important for agriculture
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“Leadership is less about the leader and more about the followers. Good
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she’s been so richly blessed. “Giving back is extremely important.
about sharing knowledge and the hope of those experiences.”
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