I Farm and I Vote, What about You

[Link]A Message from WisGO Team Member Brooke Trustem

Thomas Jefferson once said "We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate."

Today's elections are filled with lots of noise, grand jesters and pointed campaigns. What is often lost is the true importance of an election, which is the people's right to vote and have their voices be heard. As a sixth-generation dairy farmer and a member of a grassroots organization like Wisconsin Farm Bureau, I take pride in the fact that during election season, I am able to let my voice be heard and cast my vote for how I want to see my community and my country run.

Having the right to vote is a way to enact the will of the people, ensure a strong democracy and provide everyone with an equal voice in government. As farmers, we are able to consider the issues that are important to us, such as sustainability, immigration, and trade, and then evaluate the candidates based on their stance on those topics. We are able to consider their past and evaluate their plans for the future and make our own decision with our right to vote. Additionally, while this is a big year with the presidential election, it is also important to review information for your local and state offices as these are the people who will be making decisions for rural communities.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau is a great organization to be a part of because it provides us with the opportunity to meet our candidates in-person and have the chance to ask our questions. I know many of our local Farm Bureaus also encourage engagement with decision-makers. Specifically, in Rock County, we put on an event called the Rock County Agriculture Legislative Forum where we invite all our local candidates and have them answer questions on topics in agriculture. This allows us to have a good discussion and hear the perspectives of people who want to serve our communities.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is working to ensure that farmers make an impact at the polls this November in two ways: encouraging them to vote and helping them to be informed voters. They are using the iFarm. iVote. campaign to encourage farmers to be prepared for the polls and consolidates everything you need for the election cycle into one convenient place.

Something I appreciate about the platform is that it did not push me to vote one way or the other, it focuses on my voting journey and provides the resources I need about candidates I may or may not vote for. Additionally, the platform gives you the resources to be prepared to vote in-person or absentee.

Personally, I have already requested my absentee ballot as I will be out of state, attending an agriculture-related conference in November. Once my ballot arrives, I have from October 21 to November 1 to send in my ballot to be counted towards the election.

As farmers, we need to utilize the options available to us as we are in a line of work where each day varies so greatly. With absentee ballots, farmers are able to plan ahead in the event that the day of the election they are not able to make it to the polls.

I look forward to using the tools available to me from Farm Bureau and our Wisconsin voting system aide me in my power to vote. Visit bit.ly/iFarmiVoteWI to check it out for yourself.

[Link]Trustem a sixth-generation farmer and works on her family's dairy farm, Larson Acres, in Evansville.This article originally appeared in the October | November 2024 Rural Route issue.

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