Cyndi's Two Cents

New Year’s resolutions

Commentary.

Have you made any resolutions for 2014? I know a lot of people talk about resolutions, but few of us truly commit to any of them. A new month in a new year is a good time to begin the journey toward breaking a bad habit or starting a good habit. January 1 is the ultimate “tomorrow” (as in “I’ll start tomorrow.”)

Some will plan to lose weight, save money or quite smoking. Others will plan to be more kind, pray more frequently, be more generous, more patient, or to stop and smell the roses.

Making a New Year’s resolution is committing to change. In addition to the abovementioned resolutions that many will make and break within a week, I suggest we team up and move the needle on the seismograph!

Please consider the following for possible action:

• Vote in every election.

• Find out in advance who and what you will be voting for so you have time to research and make informed decisions.

• Stay informed on those bills being debated, amended and voted on.

• Call, write a letter, send an e-mail, or visit in-person those lawmakers who represent you at the state and national level of government. Do this at least 4 times in 2014.

• Re-read the Constitution of the United States of America.

• Do not defend a bad-actor on the farm and for goodness sake, don’t be one.

• Find out if any of the money you put in the collection plate at your church on Sunday is being sent out of your community to be spent in ways that are not in sync with your beliefs. For example, if you are more conservative in your views on social issues, you might be surprised to find there are dollars being invested in certain “rights” that fall in opposition to your beliefs.

• Use proper terminology, not slang terms, in regards to agriculture. It can be confusing and frightening for consumers.

• Take advantage of any and every opportunity to be the face for agriculture. Not every one of us is a public speaker or feels comfortable taking a leadership role in a county or state ag or commodity organization, but each of us has a role in protecting and promoting the industry.

• When you hear someone at the grocery store or the local café speak incorrectly about food production, take advantage of the opportunity to strike up a conversation.

• Do not spew hatred and lies about farmers whose methods and products differ from your own. A rising tide carries all boats. A diverse and united agriculture is a strong agriculture.

• Be a good steward of the air, water, land, livestock and people involved in your farming operation.

I am quite certain that many of you are already in the habit of doing at least a few of the things on this list. If you will resolve to do at least a couple more, it will make a difference for your family, your community, your state, your country, and this agriculture industry that we love.

Happy New Year!