Each year, members of Congress take time during the month of August to return to their home districts and hear directly from constituents. Cody Lyon, managing director of advocacy and political affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the August recess is an important time in the political process.

“August recess is a phrase used for congressional members to come back to the district or the state, spend time with their constituents, spend time interacting with different groups within their district, and kind of learn what is it those constituents want, what problems they’re having, carry on a variety of different policy conversations so that they can address their big concerns.”

He says it’s very important for Farm Bureau members to take advantage of the face-to-face opportunity to interact with policymakers who will directly impact agriculture.

“The face to face meeting of a constituent or farmer and rancher with their member of Congress is easily the most influential advocacy tactic anybody can do, and the reason is, there’s this interaction. There’s the ability to ask a question, get an answer, have a follow up, do something that you can show the member of Congress what’s happening on a farm or ranch. And there’s nothing like showing.”

He talks about some of the key issues that farmers and ranchers need to engage on.

“What we’re asking our State Farm Bureaus and Farm Bureau members to do is, first, we know the election is coming up. Learning where your members of Congress and or other candidates stand on your key issues is vitally important. Second, farm bill continues to be a key issue. It’s been a key issue for us going forward. And finally, tax reform. Several provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will expire next year. This period right now is for education, for members of Congress who may not have been around in 2017.”

The House of Representatives is set to begin recess on August 2nd, with Senators heading for their home states the following day. Both chambers will return after Labor Day. For tips on engaging elected officials, go to fb.org/advocacy.