By: Sydnie Grossnickle, DEFB Government Affairs Coordinator
The Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB) Annual Meeting is fast approaching. Each year, delegates from Delaware’s three counties gather to conduct important organizational business, including reviewing and adopting policy resolutions that help shape DEFB’s advocacy efforts.
But what exactly is a policy resolution?
Policy resolutions are recommendations submitted by members to establish new policy or amend existing policy within the DEFB Policy Book. They allow members to identify issues affecting agriculture, rural communities, and related industries and recommend positions DEFB should adopt. Simply put, the DEFB Policy Book is built by members, for members.
This grassroots policy development process is a cornerstone of Farm Bureau. Members can propose ideas, discuss issues, and vote on the positions that guide the organization. Resolutions are first reviewed at the county level before being considered by delegates at the Annual Meeting.
Member-driven policy helps DEFB address emerging challenges and opportunities in agriculture. For example, in 2022, members adopted a policy requesting that white-tailed deer be designated an agricultural pest in Delaware due to increasing crop damage. Like many DEFB policies, it began with members identifying a problem and proposing a solution.
The DEFB Policy Book serves as the foundation for the organization’s advocacy efforts, guiding engagement with legislators, regulatory agencies, and other decision-makers. Strong member participation ensures that these efforts reflect the priorities and needs of Delaware agriculture.
The policy development process begins with reviewing the current DEFB Policy Book at defb.org/resources/farmer-information. If you see a policy that should be added, updated, or clarified, visit defb.org/advocacy/policy-development/ to submit a resolution.
Need help getting started or have questions? Contact Sydnie Grossnickle, Government Affairs Coordinator, at sydnie.grossnickle@defb.org or (302) 697-3183. Your voice matters, and the policy development process is one of the most effective ways to help shape the future of DEFB and Delaware agriculture.
