For those who think farmer advocacy doesn’t work, fourth-generation farmer Chris Pawelski says that in 2011 farmers in New York’s Hudson Valley were eligible for disaster relief directly because Sen. Chuck Schumer surveyed Hurricane Irene’s aftermath on the area’s onion farms in the area.
“He said the reason why he fought so hard to get Irene [crop damage] included is because of what he saw on our farm,” Pawelski said.
In this episode of the “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast, Pawelski shared the importance of advocacy for farmers.
Although going to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers or their staff members requires added effort, Pawelski said the investment of time is more than worth it.
“I can give example after example where you know that situations [like when Schumer toured Hurricane Irene damage] where it meant actual tangible changes and results that have helped a lot of people,” he said.
Pawelski said that as fewer legislators are involved in farming, it becomes increasingly important for farmers to speak up on issues that could impact their farms. He said during his time as an advocate, he’s become a reliable and trusted resource for legislators who come to him for advice or to understand the implications of agriculture on a particular issue.
“You are the expert,” he said. “You most likely know more than they do on this issue. They’re listening to you as being someone who knows the situation.”
Pawelski said another key thing he’s learned as an advocate is to come to meetings armed with solutions. While it’s important to address issues and problems, legislators want help coming up with solutions.
“You have to have an idea of a way in which to fix the problem,” he said. “You’re the expert. Quite often you’re talking to a staffer who’s relatively new and young. You’re going to be older than them, and they’re they’re looking to you as being the expert.”
And farmers need to look at it as time well spent and an important investment in the future of farming, according to Pawelski.
“It seems like we as a society are moving more and more toward more citizen involvement in trying to effect change or trying to advocate or work on issues,” he said. “It seems like more and more elected officials are looking toward citizens for their involvement.”
