Using farmer members and influencers as policy storytellers through Voice for Soy
By: Rachel Peabody, AAEA Association Communications SIG Co-Chairperson
If you talk to any farmer and ask them about things that keep them up at night, ag policy is probably on that list. Local, state and federal issues impact producers every day, and active engagement with the legislative scene is critical to a farmer and their freedom to operate. From an association communicator’s perspective, ag policy communications are among some of the most important updates that we do. But even more important is the voice that delivers that message. When it comes to ag policy, using your own farmer member voices is a powerful way to tell that story, and to make it resonate with your audience.
In Illinois, we like to identify and engage with key farmer policy advocates, and we do that through our Voice for Soy program. From biodiesel, to farm policy, to trade – the Voice for Soy program covers it all. We encourage farmer voices to join our soy advocacy community by texting “SOY” to 52886, and they instantly start receiving update and action alerts on policy efforts currently impacting soybean growers. The free advocacy platform connects growers directly to legislators and allows farmer leaders to engage in a unified fashion.
In a true “there’s power in numbers” kind of approach, Illinois Soybean Growers (ISG) champions their Voice for Soy platform as something that all farmers can easily get involved with and make their individual voices heard.
In 2021, ISG started working with key farmer influencers on social media to help inspire more farmers to get involved. These farmer advocates are routinely posting ISG ag policy content on social and doing media interviews to help get more visibility and buy-in into the program. Partnering with farmer voices who are already passionate about ag policy has been a great way to get more farmers onboard with engaging in policy communications.
You can join the Voice for Soy movement today, too! Text SOY to 52886 and visit ilsoygrowers.com for more information. After all, our industry’s future depends on it.
Rachel Peabody is the director of communications with the Illinois Soybean Association.