Since its launch in 1973, people have asked, "What is Pro Farmer?" They ask because they sense there is more to being a Pro Farmer Member than merely receiving a weekly newsletter. And they are right!

Pro Farmer is about giving Members what they need to make the right management and marketing decisions for their farm. Pro Farmer is about freedom of choice - to be as independent as you want to be - and also banding together to share knowledge and experiences so you can make the best decision for both your family and your operation.

So, what is Pro Farmer? It's all about sharing information… we even call it an "information co-op."

Pro Farmer shares hard-to-get information so you'll know what the buyers of your products know when you are about to make a marketing decision. When Pro Farmer started, commercial grain handlers had cornered the flow of supply and demand information. The first issue of Pro Farmer in March 1973 changed that by making available to producers for the first time the information that drives the price discovery system. Pro Farmer recognizes the urgency in this information, selects only the most important news and information and provides analysis of the information to assist you in making tough marketing decisions.

That concept is so important to Pro Farmer that it's the first entry in our Mission Statement: "To give customers a competitive edge in marketing and financial management through timely delivery and accurate analysis of market-sensitive news and views."

That entry has survived 30 years of a changing marketplace and remains the first entry in our Mission Statement today. Over the year's, we've combined that priority with this goal: "To provide Members with the news, information and analysis that allows them to make an educated and informed marketing decision on their own."

Pro Farmer also shares behind-the-scenes information from the halls of Congress and USDA. Our editors know what's being discussed before the general news media has a hint. We summarize that information and rush it into our Members' hands in time for them to influence the decision-making process.

Pro Farmer Members are the third key ingredient to the Pro Farmer Way. That's because you all act as part of the information pipeline - sharing tips, alerts and experiences. Pro Farmer editors carry that information to the entire Membership, which spurs a quick reaction from other Members and generates the next report on what this change in policy, production technique, or marketing strategy means to your farm.

And Pro Farmer Members are willing to share winning strategies because they know every good idea they share could be returned several times over. It's this Member-to-Member communication that makes up the "Pro Farmer Member network." Many Pro Farmer Members claim access to this network is the most valuable part of their Membership and they jump at the chance to gather with other Members.

Pro Farmer editors understand and respect the information needs of successful farmers and are committed to being the best source of market, trade, farm policy and agribusiness news available. We always include analysis and perspective that helps our Members connect an event with their farm - whether it happened in China, Brazil, Washington, D.C., another state or right down the road.

Knowing your industry and having access to information and peers that can help your business are foundations in running a professional business. That's why we are Professional Farmers of America. It's not about the newsletter or the editors or seminars… it's about you, your information needs and active participation in the industry.

And we are "pro farmer." We jump at every opportunity to be an advocate for farmers and farming. We tell success stories and combat "bad" or "misled" farm stories… we feel it's our responsibility to do that and to encourage Pro Farmer Members to also be advocates for agriculture. To learn more about the Pro Farmer Way, be sure to read our Mission and Values Statements.