I know, I know, the last thing you need this busy summer is another side project. Where are you going to squeeze this two- to three-hour-per-month project in between work, vacation and your desire to relax a little this summer?

But this is important.

This summer, I’m asking you to go meet with your state and federal senators and representatives. If at all possible, meet with your actual senators or representatives and not their staffers. This will be much easier at the state level compared to the federal. Often, your best chance to actually meet them in person is at a listening session.

Where to start? Call the office of your congressional representative. Schedule a meeting with your rep or find out where they’re going to be this summer so you can meet with them at a regional event. Or offer to take them to lunch. They have to eat anyway, right?

Some won’t agree to meet with you for lunch or a drink unless they know you or know someone who knows you. Why? Last thing they want with their over-busy schedules is to spend valuable time with a complainer or crazy wingnut. You could name-drop to get an appointment. This worked for me recently; “Hello Senator, you don’t know me, but I am your constituent and you and I both know (fill in the blank) _________, and I’d like to meet with you for 30 minutes. Can we grab lunch soon?” We met for lunch at a pizza place close to his office.

What to say? You do want to have some talking points, if possible, but really you’re just there to start a relationship. It’s even okay not to have an "ask" at this meeting. Just explain your role in the meat/ag industry and be super positive. Do your homework and find out what committees your rep serves on.

If you want to talk about something substantial, talk about why meat is part of healthy diet, why it’s a terrible idea for schools to have "meatless days" or why whole milk should be kept in public schools. Talk about the USDA dietary guidelines and get caught up on that concern by watching this short video by the Nutrition Coalition. For the whole milk issue, get educated by reading the Nutrition Coalition’s article.

When I asked my State Senator how many pro-meat or pro-ag visitors he had compared to anti-meat or anti-ag each quarter, he said it’s roughly 1 to 4. One pro-ag to four anti-ag visitors. So, we are being outnumbered in attempts to have our voices heard, even though our viewpoints are in the best interests of the health and well-being of society at large.

This comes as no surprise because fewer and fewer Americans are actually involved with food production (less than 2% of the population).

Many, but not all, of the anti-ag visitors to our political representatives’ offices are probably well-meaning people. They may be sincerely concerned about the climate, having been convinced by the hyped-up claims of global climate alarmists. Most have never even been to a farm or ranch, yet hold strong anti-ag positions. I met a climate activist last week that was convinced that all animals are tortured on their way to the slaughter plant and that animals used for meat consumption are causing more global warming than all of transportation. This misinformed person has never been to a farm, but tries to meet with the same politicians I’m asking you to meet with this summer. You should easily be able to present a more well-informed picture of reality.

For more information on how to build a relationship with your elected politicians, listen to my short interview and podcast with a Colorado State representative on this topic of relationship-building. This is an easy listen on your way home from work.

In the coming years, it’s going to be extremely important for us to be involved in informing the lawmakers who make the decisions that shape our nation and states. Start your relationship-building this summer, if you haven’t already done so. It’s a rewarding endeavor.

For those who are already actively involved in relationship-building with your elected officials, what other advice do you have?

Your summer mission: should you choose to accept it

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