As I sat down this evening to read this month's Arkansas Cattle Business, I got to thinking about my local area. I belong to the Tri-County Cattlemen's Association of the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association. What does this mean to me as a cattle producer? Well, it means I have a voice at the local level, I have a voice at the state level, AND I have a voice at the national level. My membership in the TCC and ACA give me a place to not only voice my concerns, but to also network with fellow cattlemen, and gain valuable information and education.
My friends, if you are a cattleman (and it doesn't matter if it's 10 head or 100), you need to join if your not a member. We all need to join together and become proactive in our industry. If you choose to sit idly by in your recliner every evening and complain about the EPA's new dust rules they're trying to implement, Or if your fretting over the fact that you just inherited the family farm, but have to sell half of it off to pay estate taxes, please take this minute to think. Think about the fact that there is an organization that is working every day at both the state and national level to protect our industry. If I stand in front of the EPA and explain to them while I feel the new dust rules they're trying to implement would be detrimental to me, well, I'm just one person. But, BUT (this is the big but), if the NCBA (National Cattlemen's Beef Association) stands up to the EPA, and has the support of the ACA, who has the support the support of the Tri-County Cattlemen's Association, who has the support of myself and several other proactive beef producers, the EPA would take notice to that.
But, BUT (another big but), none of these groups would not be able to function without my dues dollars, AND none of these groups would get my dues dollars if they didn't keep those dollars close to the cow (thanks Adam for that phrase).
So, basically what I'm trying to ask is, are you a member of your local, state, and/or national organization? Will you step up to the plate and not only become a member and voice your opinion? Or are you going to be satisfied with just letting a few people fight the fight, and let the chips fall where they may?
If you are interested in learning more about what the association can do for you, feel free to call, email, or just stop me on the street. I'm always willing to grab a cup of coffee and talk cattle. My contact information can be found on my website: www.moodycattle.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment