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Leading Agriculture Forward with President Zippy Duvall
30 Plays13 days ago
Your voice, multiplied across agriculture, can change the outcome of major decisions.
Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, joins the Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share his experience with grassroots leadership, chasing innovation and creating sustainable agriculture leaders. President Duvall has built a career on telling the story of American agriculture by leaning on his experience of growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Georgia. Today, he represents millions of farmers across the country, which relies on finding unity across a diverse industry.
President Duvall covers:
- Telling Agriculture’s Story: grassroots organizations make a difference at every level in agriculture
- Balancing Tradition with Innovation: a sustainable agriculture industry means evolving to meet market demands
- Challenges and Opportunities for the Next Generation: it is important to equip future leaders with the skills to navigate challenges
This episode will inspire you to engage, adapt and invest in the leaders who will carry agriculture forward.
Connect with President Duvall
- American Farm Bureau Federation on LinkedIn
- President Zippy Duvall on Instagram
- American Farm Bureau on Instagram
- Visit their website
Connect with AFA
- Follow us on LinkedIn
- Follow us on Instagram
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on TikTok
- Visit our Website
About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast
Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.
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Transcript
Introduction and Importance of Youth Leadership
00:00:02
Speaker
And we got to get our young people to understand that they have to make that part of their life. If you don't and avoid, someone else is to make those decisions.
00:00:14
Speaker
And without your voice and the input, that decision may be negative to your rural community, your family and your farm. Not intentionally, but because your voice weren't there.
00:00:26
Speaker
and it And it requires our young people to be preparing themselves to be those leaders of the future. And it's my job to create an environment that they feel welcome.
Welcome and Guest Introduction
00:00:42
Speaker
Welcome to the Cultivating Leaders podcast, where we get inside the minds of leaders to harvest great ideas and lessons that help you grow as a difference maker in food and agriculture. I'm your host and curiosity captain, Nicole Ersig.
00:00:55
Speaker
Joining us today is President Zippy Duvall. He's a third generation beef, hay, and poultry farmer from Georgia. In his professional life, President Duvall serves as the 12th president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, representing more than 6 million member families across the country.
00:01:12
Speaker
President Duvall has been at the helm of the American Farm Bureau since 2016, where he works to strengthen the farm safety net, expand rural broadband, advocate for mental health, and empower the next generation of ag leaders.
00:01:24
Speaker
President Duvall, welcome to
Balancing Farming and Leadership Roles
00:01:25
Speaker
the pod. Well, thank you. I'm glad to be here with you this morning. Well, and I'm so glad that you're joining from your farm in Georgia. What did we miss from your bio? I miss being allowed on farm a lot. So Fridays and Mondays, I try to get a three-day weekend because we all know that there's things you can't do over the internet. And you have to be on site to get it done the farm. So Friday is normally really busy and Monday is really busy because I'm trying to duel all ro But, ah you know, I don't think he really missed anything. know, there's a lot went on in all those years, but basically I spent most of my time dairy for 30 years and and growing chickens.
00:02:02
Speaker
I went to poultry business during the 80s, during the crisis, the financial crisis on the farms during the 80s, diversified into poultry to try to try to survive that
From Farm Kid to Federation Leader
00:02:12
Speaker
difficult time. And I'm still growing chickens almost 40 years later. So it's it's one of those things that's been become part of this farm.
00:02:20
Speaker
who That's incredible. Let's start with your journey. How do you go from being a farm kid to leading the American Farm Bureau Federation? Well, you know, that's really interesting. i had great parents. I mean, they were wonderful.
00:02:32
Speaker
They believed that their sons should grow up working, and we did. Actually, when I was eight years old, I remember my dad sat down at the breakfast table and said, sons, because there three of us, we're in the dairy business and I don't milk cows.
00:02:48
Speaker
and he had bought 60 cows and he worked in town at the feed store and and so it became our job to get the cows milked and take care of those 60 cows. and So every morning we'd go out and milk and come and eat breakfast and go off to school and do our thing.
00:03:05
Speaker
thats That's kind of where my love for agriculture really started. I'm of these guys that love a cow. I love doing anything with cows. And so I spent my life going through that.
Early Leadership and Farm Bureau Influence
00:03:17
Speaker
And when I was in college, really had in the back my mind, i might be a lawyer.
00:03:22
Speaker
My dad knew I wouldn't be a lawyer, that I'd be something else. My dad was a little bit politically inclined because he was a county commissioner at the time and he had run for sheriff and done some things. And he he always looked at me and says, you've got my genes, you're you're you're going to end up doing this kind of stuff.
00:03:40
Speaker
And I said, no, not me, I'm not going to do that. And when I was in college, I remember he taught me in taking a speech class because he said, you need to learn how to talk in front of people.
00:03:51
Speaker
Well, I got about three weeks in that speech class and this old country boy says, this ain't me. And I dropped it. And I think that was the maddest my dad had ever been at me. Because he says, you don't really know who you are, but I do.
00:04:05
Speaker
He said, you will regret dropping that speech class, and I have regretted it ever since. So he was right. But later on in college, he had a massive heart attack, and he just basically told me, said, son, if you think you ever want a dairy for a living, you're go make a decision now because I can't keep doing it. So well you'll either have to take it over or I'll sell it.
00:04:28
Speaker
So I made the decision leave college and come home and... take on the career of managing the dairy and and hadn't looked back since. But during that time, I remember going to my dad's breakfast table, my mom's breakfast went breakfast table after milking and after I'd taken the dairy over.
00:04:45
Speaker
And I was talking about regulation not being able find any help and price of milk. And daddy just looked at me and said, son, if you want to be involved in those decisions that affect your life every day, you've got to get outside your fence rows.
00:05:01
Speaker
And I remember saying, Daddy, ain't got time to do that. I got to run this dairy. He says, you've got to manage your time and discipline yourself to where you can do both because there are people out there making decisions every day. It affects your life and in your farm's life and your family's life. and ah you want to be part of that?
00:05:18
Speaker
You got to go do something else. And he took me to a Farm Bureau meeting. And he said, this is where you do it. This is where your voice can be heard. And I got elected young farmer chairman at county level.
00:05:28
Speaker
haven't looked back since on that and the Young Farmer Program at Farm Bureau's for a farm boy is an absolutely wonderful place to be taught the skills of becoming an advocate and and a leader within our industry.
00:05:42
Speaker
And we have trained thousands of young men and women over the years to to be leaders and they may end up doing it in Farm Bureau, they may end up doing it locally in their community, in their churches,
00:05:56
Speaker
you know or even maybe another organization like Soybean Organization the Corn Organization. When did you first realize that you were a leader? Well, I think after I got started, you know i was convinced that I should fill out a Young Farmer Contest Award in Farm Bureau.
00:06:15
Speaker
And my wife and I filled it out, and we won that award. And then after that, they asked me to serve on the state Young Farmer Committee. And I think then I started realizing... as I was with other people my age that were farming and different kinds of farming all over the state, I think that's when I started realizing, hey, people are interested in what I have to say.
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Unity
00:06:36
Speaker
As we'd go through meetings with congressmen and senators as young people and realizing that, you know, lot of times I would, not intentionally, but I'd catch myself stepping up and yeah asking the questions and getting the attention of the congressmen and senators. and And I think, you know, that's when I realized, you know, maybe I do have something to contribute in a bigger and different way not because of my knowledge but just so my willingness to be able to be part of something bigger than what I what I was yeah yeah willing to step up and take a seat at the table yeah when you do it and you're in that comfort zone and doing that and people look to you and it's almost like getting branded you know he's he's so he'll do it give it to give it to give it to Zippy he'll do it you know and you know when they give it to you and you take it and do it and people tell you you've done a good job and
00:07:29
Speaker
and you just take advantage of all the opportunities to learn, I mean, it just kind of come natural for me. And anyone that says, I will never be able to stand up front talk to people, they're wrong.
00:07:40
Speaker
i mean, that's something you can learn to do. That should never scare people away from leadership roles. And there's a lot of re-leadership roles that doesn't require that too. Yeah.
00:07:51
Speaker
You know, before we even started recording, you were talking about getting to meet President Trump and and your role today includes advocating for agriculture at the highest levels. Have you ever doubted yourself or your ability to lead in some of these high powered rooms?
00:08:07
Speaker
Every day. um I mean, I'm just a farm boy. not even i don't even have a college education. I'm not proud of that. That's something i wish I could have finished.
00:08:17
Speaker
But it's proof that in America, you've got a passion and a will and a want and a need and a desire to work hard and get there to do that, you can do it. But i I'll tell you, there's never a time when I walk into a room with some dignitary or president the United States or secretary of agriculture department of labor, whatever, wherever I might be, that I am quietly in my mind praying for the wisdom and ability to do my job.
00:08:46
Speaker
Because I'm a very... faithful born-again Christian, and I know I'm here, I'm i'm on a mission that God's got me on, and I fully, truly believe that.
00:08:59
Speaker
you know, listen to the leader in Congress, and and I hear him reference his faith, and and it's so powerful to me because that's that's where I live, and and it gives me the strength to be able to go in and do those things.
00:09:12
Speaker
Sometimes I look back at meetings and say, wow, where did that come from? You know, I never thought about asking that question that way. So I really believe my faith gives me strength and wisdom to do the things that I do.
00:09:27
Speaker
And i give I give all that glory to Him. ah and But I have no official training to do this job. But everyone tells me I'm good at it. So I don't like to wave that around.
00:09:45
Speaker
Because i you know I'm like any other farmer. I'm not one that's going to boast about what I do. It's an honor and privilege to serve the men and women of agriculture and be in those places to be able to tell their story and let their voice be heard.
00:10:02
Speaker
And I'm just the carrier and God makes that possible. Yeah, that's an incredible perspective. You represent a lot of different farmers, millions of people actually across the United States who have different needs, different opinions, um different political views, different types of agriculture that they're in.
00:10:22
Speaker
How do you find unity and direction in such a diverse landscape? Yeah, that's that's a tough job. That's a heavy lift. But this organization for over 100 years has found a way ah to make that happen.
00:10:34
Speaker
And I really think it's the process and the reputation that our organization has that, hey, don't matter where you come from. what background, what ethnic role, area you come from, big, little, small, organic, traditional. It doesn't make any difference.
00:10:54
Speaker
In our organization, you have a seat at the table through the process. And through that process from the county level all the way to the national level, ah it it it is a way for farmers and ranchers' ideas to surface and find unity in it.
00:11:10
Speaker
and Sometimes it is difficult, very difficult. and And really and truly, this day and time with technology, and yll we talked a little bit about that before the podcast.
00:11:21
Speaker
ah In technology, our people of really grasp being able to get on Zoom, and and and now we can put a Georgia farmer and a California farmer, Oregon and Washington, on on Zoom and let them say, well, if we do that, this is how it's going to affect me.
00:11:39
Speaker
Well, i you know I'm in Georgia. I didn't know that. Okay, let's let's find a way to help both of us. And really, with the technologies that we have today and the abilities for people really communicate with each other and understand their perspective and their regional difference, it's really easier for us to find common ground than it was before, rather than just all show up at a big meeting and never have time to really communicate across.
Balancing Tradition with Technology
00:12:04
Speaker
And that's one thing that I think is important in leadership. And leadership is, in our organization, it's not top-down. It's not Zippy Duvall and Board of Directors down.
00:12:16
Speaker
It's that county, that farmer that's on a County Farm Bureau Board. It's his idea and it rises up. And we provide a vehicle. for their voice to be heard and find that common ground.
00:12:27
Speaker
We don't tell them where they need to be going. Now, if they need the information, we're pumping information out there to them so that they can make the right decisions on policy. But it's more of a vehicle that is respected and the process is respected that we go through to get there.
00:12:44
Speaker
And I've been a part of a lot of organizations, county commissioners organizations, ah rural electorate organizations, all them do those policy things. But none of them do it like we do it because it is always focused on that grassroots member.
00:13:03
Speaker
Love that. Do you think that your process and some of the way that Farm Bureau operates, can some of the lessons that you've learned be transferred into other organizations in agriculture, whether it's a member organization or not?
00:13:18
Speaker
Oh, I really think so, you know, and and through the training that I received through this organization and a lot of the leadership in those other organizations have been through that because, you know, their members are our members.
00:13:31
Speaker
Our members are their members, you know. And i I talk a lot about that, how valuable it is for the there unity between commodity groups and Farm Bureau is, you know, because the worst thing that can happen is for corn or soybean or beef or hog or pork or whatever to go down the road of setting their policy and not be in the same lane with us.
00:13:55
Speaker
And so really and truly we need to be communicating our leaderships in both organizations, should be involved in both organizations so that we're running parallel. ah Because the worst thing you want to do is go into congressman's office and be opposite of the table or opposite of the issue with one of your other members that's involved in leadership of soybean or corn or whatever, you know.
00:14:17
Speaker
So we we work really hard and do a lot of communicating between the two. and make sure that our leadership are involved in on both sides, both organizations, so that we can have that unity between those two.
00:14:32
Speaker
And sometimes that's difficult. Sometimes you can't accomplish that. But most of the time, we can find that common ground. You know, one thing I've learned since I've been in Washington is you never agree on everything.
00:14:45
Speaker
So what you know you don't agree on, just set it to the sides, don't even go there. The time you spend should be spent on on areas you know that you might can find common ground and work on those areas and highlight those areas and show the unity that you can bring around that.
00:15:03
Speaker
You know, Farmers Union, one of the first questions I got when I was seeking this position was, can you work with Farmers Union? and I said, I can work with anybody. And we have had opportunity to find common ground with Farmers Union and their leadership.
00:15:18
Speaker
the whole 10 years I've been here. Now, there's some areas we just don't go there, you know. And I think as a leader, you've got to figure out how to do that. In your role today, you kind of sit at a crossroads between like innovation and tradition because agriculture is such an industry that's rooted in tradition, but also like you just talked about, there's technology advancements and, you know, the way we we move forward.
00:15:42
Speaker
What advice do you have for navigating that balance of maintaining the tradition that's so important, but also the innovation for what we need to produce food for the future?
00:15:54
Speaker
a Tradition is our story. We should be telling the story and it's most powerful tool we have. The example of that, you know, the buzz word was sustainability and that's regenerative ag.
00:16:06
Speaker
To us as farmers, it's all the same thing. We've been doing it for decades. Come and look at my farm. Used to be big gully. Now it's rolling green hills where cattle. You know, we've been doing ah regenerative agriculture for decades.
00:16:21
Speaker
So it's our story. ah and And when you start talking about moving into the future, it's that innovation. Now, there's a fine line between holding on to your roots.
00:16:33
Speaker
I've always milked cows. I'm always going to milk cows. I had to start growing chickens. it it It wasn't something that I was looking to do. I had enough to do. But I had to diversify to be able to survive that crisis in the
Challenges for Young Farmers
00:16:48
Speaker
80s.
00:16:48
Speaker
So you hold on to your tradition, your roots, but there's also a fine line of financially sustaining this farm. is Can I hold on to my roots and just do this, or have I got to take on new technologies, new innovation to move forward?
00:17:04
Speaker
And how do i do that? And really and truly at the end of the day, it comes down to can I afford it? And if I can't, let's figure out how we make that transition into the new innovation in agriculture and be able to afford it and sustain the farm like it is.
00:17:20
Speaker
Sometimes it's a necessity to do that. Sometimes you can do it immediately. Sometimes it takes years to do it. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of soul searching to figure out how do you do that.
00:17:31
Speaker
But farmers and ranchers across this country I have witnessed. They'll find a way. The market leads them. The innovation helps them get there. And they find a way financially to be able to make that happen.
00:17:45
Speaker
The ones that out there have been successful, they' they're the ones that's been able to do that. But we should never get away from our roots. And those stories are powerful. Yes, absolutely.
00:17:56
Speaker
As we think about the future and the next chapter in the story of American agriculture, what kind of leaders do you think we need for this next chapter? Well, you know, we spend a lot of time training people to be advocates and leaders.
00:18:11
Speaker
and And one of the big struggles and one of the things i stay awake at night is how do we bring more people out? As we move forward agriculture, our businesses get bigger and bigger and we're forced to do that because of economic decisions we have to make. be You got to do more to be able to stay here and be able to to survive and sustain your farm.
00:18:35
Speaker
As we get bigger and bigger, they have less time to be part of something like Farm Bureau or take on leadership role. So, you know, our organizations have to adapt to that and make it accessible through technology like this so that farmers ranchers can continue to be part of something bigger.
00:18:56
Speaker
But getting them to understand the importance. And I spent a lot of time on the road talking to farmers and ranchers, you know, and I tell them the things that their engagement allows us to accomplish.
00:19:09
Speaker
and really and truly you know say, you're a leader, we need you to be a leader, but we're going to call on you just at right time so you don't have spend your whole day thinking about it. And we're going provide these materials on our website, market entails, whatever it might be, you know a really quick read every morning after you do your devotion over your coffee, so that if you're called on, you're prepared.
00:19:31
Speaker
and have the knowledge to do
Leadership Impact and Farmer Advocacy
00:19:32
Speaker
that. So as organizations, we've got to be a feeder of that information and create that vehicle for the future that they're they can take care of technologies like like like we're doing today.
00:19:43
Speaker
yeah In the tractor, while it's on GPS, from one end of the road to the next, you know, wherever it might be, we've got to be able to be able to adapt to that and help them do it. Yes, absolutely.
00:19:54
Speaker
From your vantage point, what do you think are the three biggest challenges facing the next generation of agriculture leaders? Well, availability of land, credit, availability of credit, and the opportunity to actually really make a living on the farm.
00:20:13
Speaker
It costs so much now to get into agriculture. How I got into will be different than a lot of what ways that young people get into it today. i see I see young people that really want to farm,
00:20:30
Speaker
coming out of college and giving five, ten years to a farm, a family farm, and that family farm not having family member that ah wants to come back to the farm and it and it being in transitioned to ah non-family member because he's been there and shown he's dedicated.
00:20:50
Speaker
And the farmer really, you know, I told my children the other day, you know, we ride by subdivisions ah that are, you know, they were farms and now they're just subdivisions. And I'm not against people having a place to live, don't get me wrong.
00:21:01
Speaker
But I don't want my farm to ever look that way. I remember 13-year-old son saying, they promised me our farm will never look like that. And now I'm saying to him as a veterinarian at 45, saying, son, promise me my farm will never look like that.
00:21:18
Speaker
You know. And, and, You know you don't want to put that burden on them, but Farmers want their land, their farm to stay a farm, whether it be through a family member or someone that's proven themselves that they're willing to make the dedication, have the passion of doing that.
00:21:33
Speaker
And that's hard for young people to do. I know that. I know it's hard to do. But I think we're going to see more and more of that as we move move forward. And we've got to find a way that young people have confidence that they can go onto a farm make a living and and raise a family there.
00:21:51
Speaker
Now, there's a lot of living that may not be money. It may have be the privilege of raising your children on farm, making less money. You know, it so it's a way of life. It's a style of life that's different than what it is in a city and working for a big company.
00:22:09
Speaker
And a lot times, money's not not the driving factor. Do you have any idea how we're going to overcome some of these challenges? Or what gives you hope?
00:22:20
Speaker
Well, what gives me hope is when I go to young farmer meeting, there's 1,200 young farmers there. And they're excited. And they want to learn. And they're so smart. You know, and you know ah the the things that people have the technology to work with and how they adapt to them at such an early age now, even my grandchildren.
00:22:42
Speaker
I mean, I look at them and say, Boy, the possibilities and opportunities for them are just out of the roof compared to what they were for me. you know and and And I just come away encouraged and excited about the future.
00:22:57
Speaker
i don't you know we My dad worried about the same things I worry about. Who's going to be farming when I'm gone? I worry about who's going be farming, who's going to in leadership roles when I'm gone.
00:23:08
Speaker
and And it's our job to do everything we can to help those people understand that there are careers here, there are opportunities here for leadership roles, and the way to do that is to bring them in make them feel welcome.
00:23:23
Speaker
and help them understand that it's all about setting your priorities and making time to do it because it it is important. And I have hundreds of examples of how important really is and how engagement from farmers and ranchers have made things possible for us to get done in Washington, D.C.
00:23:43
Speaker
Can you share an example? but I would say my biggest example, ah one that comes in front of my mind, is the work that we did with the securities exchange.
00:23:55
Speaker
And when they came out with a rule that was going affect the way our farmers could farm their land, What they were trying to do was make sure that they had reporting of greenhouse gases from the raw materials of the companies that were traded were being traded on the exchange.
00:24:13
Speaker
And in doing that rule, it would have affected, in scope three area, it would have affected farms and how they could farm out there. And so we we made a call to our membership to get involved in that.
00:24:27
Speaker
And over about a two year period, we we had up so many contacts to the SEC that the SEC chairman called me as president of this organization and says, can you tell me why I got 5,000 emails on my computer from Farm Bureau members?
00:24:42
Speaker
And that was kind of the beginning of it. And that opened up their involvement, that farmer's involvement. and engagement in our organization opened up door for me to have multiple conversations with not just the chairman, but members of his committee, and was able to make them understand how that would affect agriculture and supply chain, and in a very difficult environment, was able to affect that policy where it was not negative to farmers and ranchers.
00:25:19
Speaker
In over two year period, I had face face meetings with them, several phone calls, our staff were working together to make sure it was not harmful to agriculture and it could not, would not have happened.
00:25:33
Speaker
without that farmer and rancher picking up his phone and emailing the SEC and the congressman and senator about it. and And it opened up the doors for our organization to actually make a huge difference.
00:25:46
Speaker
From that to the president United States just two weeks ago, where I had the opportunity, and I describe it as basically to give him a science class on why we need crop protection tools and pesticides.
00:25:59
Speaker
Because everybody says, oh pesticides, don't want no food with pesticides on it. Well, let me tell you what happens if you take them all away. Because you it's kind of like a whip. When you snap at it, at the end, something bad's happening.
00:26:11
Speaker
And if you take it all away, something bad's going to happen. And what is the gain and loss in doing that? So that's why we need to be at the table finding that solution that's in the middle, not not my solution that I want everything or they want to take everything away from us.
00:26:26
Speaker
We find a solution that we can continue to keep that food system moving because there's... millions of Americans and people around the world are spending on us to get that done.
00:26:37
Speaker
I really love those examples because I think it showcases that in order for leadership to happen, and even your role, exactly what you said, to happen at the highest levels, those opportunities don't happen without really small acts of leadership that can happen every single day. The sending of an email, the phone call, the being active in an organization.
00:27:01
Speaker
Like those are things that all of us can do every single day that may not feel like a transformational act of leadership, but when we do it at scale across agriculture, it can have, like you just shared, an incredible impact.
00:27:13
Speaker
And that's why Farm Bureau so important. It gives that vehicle for all that to come together. and And if it it wasn't there, you know, probably just a small percentage of those people would be engaged and active.
Youth Engagement in Agriculture Leadership
00:27:28
Speaker
Well, we're out there encouraging them every day ah through our state and county farm bureaus. And that's why it's important for people to be part of it, you know, just find your niche in our organization. You don't have to you know how'd be president and have to dedicate your whole life to it.
00:27:41
Speaker
You can just be a farmer and a grassroots leader. And just be engaged when something really important happening because that's what makes it successful. You're exactly right.
00:27:53
Speaker
As we look up to the future of agriculture, what do you feel like is one of the biggest misconceptions about the future of ag? Well, I think the biggest misconception is that agriculture is getting big and industrialized.
00:28:07
Speaker
And I don't believe that. If you look at the statistics, 96% of farms across America still family-owned. Family owned in 2025 is different than family owned in 1979 when I started.
00:28:21
Speaker
You know, family owned in 1979 was ah a landscape of small dairies, 100 cows all across my community. Now there's one big one that milks 3,000.
00:28:35
Speaker
It's still a family farm and it has multiple family members involved in You know, when you when you start thinking about a cotton pecker costing over a million dollars, You know, not that that spot, that landscape of many, many farms out there owning a million-dollar piece of machinery that picks cotton just one month a year or maybe a month and a half a year.
00:28:57
Speaker
That doesn't happen anymore. You've got multiple family members working on one farm that has one cotton picker. It costs over a million dollars. And that's how they take that new technology we talked about earlier and in that identifying that way, how do we afford to move into the future and utilize that new technology.
00:29:16
Speaker
So I think the biggest misconception is not industrializing It's not making it insensitive where we don't care about our animals and we don't care about the soil.
00:29:27
Speaker
That is so absolutely ridiculous. That's a misconception too. I mean, if I mistreat my animals, one, I couldn't go to bed at night and sleep with myself. If I mistreat them, they're not going to produce for me.
00:29:41
Speaker
It's about production and efficiency, and the only way to do that is make them comfortable, happy, and take care of them to the best of your ability. The soil is the same way. If I mistreat my soil after year after year, one year it' it's it's going to not produce for me.
00:29:58
Speaker
And it's all about production and efficiency so that you can be sustainable and move into the future. That's why I say regenerative ag, been doing it for decades.
00:30:09
Speaker
We just called it something. It was conservation start with, then it becomes sustainability, now it's regenerative ag. All those things have misconceptions about, and and it's our job to tell our story. If we tell our story, people ah will understand it and have but more trust in their food system.
00:30:28
Speaker
And that's part of what we, as farmers, it's got to be part of our job to tell our story. When I was with the president two weeks ago, I realized how important our stories are. are because with the most powerful man in the world who is is very smart and intelligent, he didn't really know the science behind crop protection tools.
00:30:48
Speaker
But why should we expect him to? He's a real estate person. Why should we expect him to? So if you think about your neighbors not in agriculture, why should we expect them to understand why the airplane's out there flying and spraying something over that crop?
00:31:01
Speaker
Why should they understand their advantages to that? What helps get that product to the shelf for people to utilize? Our stories are powerful they're important and people need to have understanding so they can trust what we're doing.
00:31:14
Speaker
I appreciate that mindset of we can't expect people to have the understanding or even the interest, right? There's plenty of things that that I don't know how works.
00:31:26
Speaker
comes to be or how it's put together or all the thought and hard work and process behind many of the things that I use every day. But I think farmers have such a unique and incredible story to tell. And when we have the opportunity, it's important.
00:31:40
Speaker
And it takes leadership to do that. You know, you got, you, you got to be not scared to share that story and you got be able to share it in a way that people receive it.
00:31:54
Speaker
that benefits everyone, not just us. Because I tell everybody, you know, you want to talk about Maha? Let's talk about Maha. What is it really about? It's about making America healthy again.
00:32:05
Speaker
And food is part of medicine. So how do we how do we educate people as to what we're doing and why we do it? And how do we get it to a level to where they have trust and comfort in it within agriculture?
00:32:19
Speaker
You know, we want the same thing. We want a healthy America. If the markets in agriculture drive farmers to do something, they're going to do it. We've done it forever.
00:32:31
Speaker
We're driven by markets. If the consumer wants this, we're going out a way to give it to them. But we need the technologies and the innovation, and whether it be in seed or fertilizers or crop protection tools or equipment.
00:32:45
Speaker
We need all those to be able to move in the direction that consumer wants us to be. It's about the consumer and having a healthier people in our country, and we all want that. Well, I think this circles back to a little bit of where we started in finding common ground in what you have in common and not worried about the things that we're not going to agree with everything in some of these movements, but there's areas that we do.
00:33:11
Speaker
and focusing there as we tell the story of agriculture or try to influence people. And that makes it a way that that folks can receive it. You know, one of the biggest challenges as a leader to me is, and I like this challenge, but it's a big challenge, is if it's my job to find a solution to a problem with you and you have a different personality, it's my job to figure out your personality and figure out how my personality your personality will allow us to work together to find a solution.
00:33:41
Speaker
And so many people think it's me, me, I, I, and we're going to it my way. Well, yeah, you go into every battle that way, but you never find a solution that way. You'll turn people off.
00:33:53
Speaker
And it really is a challenge to to try to adapt to other people's opinions, a point of view, and their personalities. And I work hard at that, to do that, but it's one of those challenges that I realize has to be done.
00:34:10
Speaker
And it it really has become fun for me to figure out how to do that. I think that's such a valuable lesson, Zippy, that I think when you're, especially young leaders, you can think like, oh, I got to go out and do this.
00:34:24
Speaker
But it it really is' about adapting to the people that you're working with. um And we all have to work with people that we think differently from or have different backgrounds from or Maybe we don't even like them, but we got to figure out a way to work together to get the outcomes that not only do we need, but our community and our world needs.
00:34:44
Speaker
You're exactly, you said it perfectly. So Zippy, I want to talk about your passion for youth and and bringing young people into leadership roles. Tell me a little bit about why why this is so important to you.
00:34:58
Speaker
Well, one is through this job and this journey I've been on since 1976 when I left college, I have learned that what we do as leaders in our organization, um what we do as leaders, period.
00:35:15
Speaker
It may be in your church. It's so valuable. If you don't have that leadership, the role, you can't take on the future, and bad things happen. Bad things happen.
00:35:28
Speaker
One of the biggest burden as leader of this great big organization is trying to prepare this organization and our industry for the future. And you know, when you ask that, how do you do that? Well, to answer that question is to bring young people to our organization and give them the tools to be that leader they need to be.
00:35:50
Speaker
Because all across the farm bureaus, 2800 county farm bureaus, there's a county president, every one them, and a board directors, they're all leaders. There are diamonds in a rough waiting to be shaped but to be a great leader.
00:36:04
Speaker
It's our job to make sure that we prepare them for the future. Now, getting young people to come to a membership organization in this day and time is difficult. It's difficult. But I challenge that because if you look at your credit card bill, you're paying a membership to multiple things automatically every month.
00:36:22
Speaker
And one more to Farm Bureau and being part of something, whether it's be a leader or just supportive of agriculture, the people that work hard to feed you every day. I mean, that that's just a small way of showing your dedication or or support to something that's important to you and your family.
Leadership Development and Mentorship
00:36:40
Speaker
We deal with issues that affect all Americans, not just farmers and ranchers. All Americans. Waters of the U.S. I mean, we feltd that we fought that battle for years, and you're still fighting it.
00:36:51
Speaker
still shaping that what is the U.S. rule. It affects every American. It might be in their electric bill. It might be in their taxes. You know, if you can't develop a piece of land to put a power line over it because what is the U.S. I mean, what we do affects every American. Everybody ought to consider being part of it.
00:37:10
Speaker
and be supportive of it. And it's it's just important for leadership, and we got to get our young people to understand that they have to make that part of their life.
00:37:23
Speaker
If you don't and avoid, someone else is going to make those decisions. And without your voice and input, that decision may be negative to your rural community, your family, and your farm.
00:37:36
Speaker
Not intentionally, but because your voice weren't that wasn't there. and it And it requires our young people to be preparing themselves to be those leaders of the future. And it's my job to create an environment that they welcome and want to come to us.
00:37:50
Speaker
From 4-H and FFA to college Farm Bureau programs to Young Farmer and Ranch and our organization, to PAL, which is another but advanced leadership group that we have.
00:38:04
Speaker
And not just them, with the women, with promotion and education, we have three different committees. And all of them, I think, are leadership development programs that are preparing people at all different ages to be leaders of this organization and of the IRA industry.
00:38:21
Speaker
And it is crucial. And as a leader, you've got to think about preparing your organization for the future and there's no better way of doing that than that way that was great sales pitch you have me you have me going for sure oh well thank you zippy that's a great perspective i want to move into we do a rapid fire section of each podcast episode so i'm just going to ask you some quick questions and answer and i'm going to say a sentence or less if you can I'll try.
00:38:51
Speaker
Okay. Yeah. What's one habit that has made you a better leader? Oh, well, my devotion times made me a better leader. What is something you used to believe about leadership that you no longer do?
00:39:03
Speaker
I thought we were born be leaders with all the skills and talents. And we
Personal Leadership Insights and Podcast Conclusion
00:39:09
Speaker
are, but we just don't know it. they they are skill They are raw skills and talents that you have to work to develop.
00:39:19
Speaker
And everyone has them, whether they think they have them or not. That's so great. Who mentored you early on, and what's a piece of advice you still carry with you from them? Oh, my dad.
00:39:30
Speaker
my mom and You know, every morning I hear my dad, if you don't get it done by lunch, son, you're not going to get it done. Let's go. Hard work, dedication with passion can move the world.
00:39:45
Speaker
But if you think it's going to happen without hard work, dedication and passion, you're wrong. That's a good voice to have in the back of your head. Man, like you're right. No wonder it's hectic when you're on the farm. Yeah, you got to get it done by lunch, son, or you're not going to get it done. so
00:39:59
Speaker
What would your younger self be most surprised to know about your life today? had no idea that I would sit with presidents of the United States. had no idea that that would ever happen and have the opportunities that I've had to be able to represent the salt of the earth of our country.
00:40:22
Speaker
You know, if you look at this country, the great country and how it's built, but you go out there and spend time on the farm with all these farmers ranches, they're the ones that built this country off the sweat of their brow. And you can understand how they did it when you go out there and spend time with them.
00:40:37
Speaker
Because you're talking about passion and hard work and dedication. Year after year, season after season, storm after storm, It is just amazing how some of those farmers find a way to survive the next crop or next year. Yeah, it's it's inspiring.
00:40:55
Speaker
Okay, so at AFA, we are all about, we call them hot takes. So, unconventional or bold opinions. President Duvall, what is a hot take that you have about leadership or the future of agriculture?
00:41:10
Speaker
My hot opinion about agriculture is this is an exciting place to be. If you look at the technology that's coming down the pipe and opportunities that we have to grow the food, fiber, and fuel for this country and the world, it is absolutely awesome.
00:41:24
Speaker
Yeah, and the hot take about leadership it's not going happen without you. I said everybody has those raw leadership share qualities within them, and and we can't do it without your involvement.
00:41:36
Speaker
That, I feel like, is a perfect place to wrap this up. We like to make sure that we build bridges and connections between people at AFA, President Duvall. So where can people connect with you and learn more about the work that the American Farm Bureau is doing?
00:41:50
Speaker
Sure. Well, we have a great website. And, you know, I encourage everybody, you know, the information on there, from policy issues to mental health. We've got a Farm State of Mind program.
00:42:02
Speaker
You know, we're in a very difficult time, and I'd encourage anybody out there that's fighting a battle here and we all do some people would deny it and we're in a time where we're trying to get rid of that stigma and say it's it's okay not to be okay but you can't sit there and not talk about it and we want to provide that vehicle for not just farmers ranchers but anyone that could go to our website and be able to get some help to that through the farm state of mind program but to issues our market entails very quick reads keep yourself prepared
00:42:36
Speaker
to be able to be engaged. you know I don't know when this podcast is coming out, but we're in August now almost, August recess of Congress. All those congressmen and senators will be going back home.
00:42:48
Speaker
This is the perfect opportunity for, on a local level, to go get involved and get engaged. Don't miss a town hall meeting. Set up a farm tour for a congressman, a senator, or some of their staff.
00:42:59
Speaker
Let them see and hear so they understand, build trust, and confidence that we can move forward and make the right decisions to help everyone in every situation. And it's just so important.
00:43:12
Speaker
That is so great. I so appreciate you joining us today, President Duvall. This has been a fascinating conversation and I've enjoyed learning from you, our listeners will as well. So thanks for being a part of the Cultivating Leaders podcast.
00:43:27
Speaker
Thanks for listening to the Cultivating Leaders podcast brought to you by Agriculture Future of America. you've been here before, you know we value feedback as a gift. Please leave us a review and let us know how we're doing.