Strengthening County Farm Bureaus - Riley Larson

My name is Riley Larson, and I grew up in Conrad and on our fourth-generation family farm in Toole County, where we currently operate a cow-calf herd. My involvement in agriculture led me to pursue a degree in the field, becoming a collegiate member of Farm Bureau while attending Dawson Community College and continuing my activity once I transferred to Montana State University. I am now a proud member of the Northwest Counties Farm Bureau. My eagerness to be part of a meaningful organization that advocates for our way of life was immediately fulfilled when I joined and got involved. This involvement has provided amazing opportunities, and I look forward to contributing for many years to come.

I was drawn to the ACE program because I recognized the need to move beyond simply caring about agricultural issues to becoming a highly effective advocate. Watching previous class members develop their skills confirmed that ACE was the necessary platform to turn my passion into practical influence. I specifically wanted to gain proficiency in crafting messages that resonate with diverse audiences and understand how to strategically approach challenging conversations in the industry. ACE provides the techniques required to bridge the gap between the reality of production and the perspectives of decision-makers, securing a positive future for our industry.

My primary goal post-ACE is centered on strengthening the local Farm Bureau community by fostering connections and facilitating knowledge exchange. One way I would like to do that is to connect older, experienced Farm Bureau members with young or new producers. This is crucial because, with the average age of the American farmer approaching 60, we need to intentionally start transferring the valuable knowledge of that generation onto the younger ones. This effort will help new and transitioning operations build the essential relationships and gain the wisdom needed to ensure the next generation succeeds in Montana agriculture.

A critically important issue is the combination of rising land prices, foreign ownership, and soaring input costs. These factors not only risk the family farm heritage but also make it incredibly difficult for people who are just getting started in the industry. ACE is vital because it taught me to shift the conversation from just finances to stewardship and opportunity. I can now effectively frame this as a succession and national security challenge and use powerful storytelling to highlight the struggle of inter-generational land transfer and the obstacles facing new producers to elected officials and the wider public.

I plan to implement the ACE skills by focusing on local advocacy and education, knowing that the grassroots is where Farm Bureau's strength lies. I will use my training to effectively communicate with local leaders and decision-makers about the value of agriculture and our way of life. Additionally, I will volunteer my time to help organize Farm Bureau events that boost engagement and contribute to the next generation by volunteering for 4-H and FFA, ensuring they understand the importance of advocacy.

It is critical for Montana producers to continually develop their leadership and advocacy skills because the issues impacting us are becoming increasingly complex and often decided in regulatory halls and legislative chambers. If we aren't equipped to effectively communicate the reality of our operations, decisions will be made not with us or by us. Leadership development ensures the authentic, grassroots voice of the Montana producer is strong enough to influence those decisions. It is an investment in securing the long-term viability of our industry, we must be the most articulate and passionate advocates for the land, the resources, and creating a stable future for the next generation of Montanans.