Candid Conversation presents a discussion about the topical issues related to Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) priorities, the agricultural industry, and rural communities, in a question-and-answer format. In this edition, Bettie Bean, KFB’s State Women’s Advisory Committee Chair discusses the important work done by the committee and County Women’s Committees across the state.

KFB: For readers who may not know you, would you tell us a little about yourself?

BB: I'm a city girl who married a farm boy and one of our first dates was to the McCracken County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, and there I met a lot of farmers. My granddad had been a farmer, with a peach and apple orchard. And while I visited the farm, I did not grow up on one. I was a teacher for many years in high school and college. We have three daughters, and we have one precious granddaughter.

KFB: How long have you been involved in Farm Bureau, and would you share some of your experiences?

BB: I have been involved in Farm Bureau for over 40 years. I have been the district chair for about six years, and the state second vice chair for three years and this is my first year as chair of the Women's Advisory Committee. I have been McCracken County women's chair for over 30 years, but I'm going to give that up and get someone younger to do that because I have plenty to do without that part of it.

Some of my experiences include traveling on many trips over the years including what used to be the National Women's Conference which is now Fusion. But one of my fondest memories came when my oldest daughter was asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the National Conference. She was, I believe, a junior in high school and it was very exciting for her. We've just had a lot of wonderful experiences being involved in Farm Bureau.

KFB: What do you think are the most important projects that Farm Bureau Women's Committees are involved in?

BB: I think the most important projects deal with our youth, and our youth activities because our young people are going to be the leaders of tomorrow, and we need to get them involved so that we can continue the work that Farm Bureau has been involved in for so long. As part of our youth program, we have the county, district, and state Outstanding Youth Contest, along with our Youth Variety program at the county and district levels, and then we showcase at the state annual meeting.

Another important thing we do is being able to talk to our legislators about bills that are important to farm life and this organization.

KFB: This is a very similar question, but the role that the women's committees play directly with the organization, how important is that to the success of KFB?

BB: I think it's very important. We can meet these women at different ages, doing different things, and at different times in their lives to be involved and active during the entire time they are a part of Farm Bureau. But there are other programs very important to the organization in addition to the Women's Committees, including the Young Farm Program, and Generation Bridge. They're all important."

KFB: During your tenure as state chair, I'm sure that you've probably thought about some things that you would like to see happen or things in particular that you want to work on. Can you share some of that with us?

BB: I think the thing that I would like to work on the most because it's my passion having been a teacher, is working with our youth. They mean a lot to me. There are a lot of things pulling at our youth these days. They're working, and busy with school, and doing so many other things, and it's hard sometimes to be able to get them involved in the programs that we have in Farm Bureau, so to me, that's a very important part of what I would like to accomplish.

KFB: How vital do you think it is to bring in this new generation, whether they're in the Women's Committee or some other part of the organization?

BB: I think it's vital that our young people are involved because they're our leaders for tomorrow. There are so many other things in life they will be a part of but, we need to keep them involved so they'll know the importance of Farm Bureau and of being the voice for agriculture.

KFB: What do you think is a benefit of being involved in a county women’s committee and what makes them so successful?

BB: The state Women's Advisory Committee is made up of one woman from each of our 11 districts, and often we serve as the face of the program activities.  But the boots on the ground come at the county level and all those members who are involved in their respective women's programs and all the activities they oversee.

I think the best benefit is the comradery that we have. The majority of us are farm women, and we can sit around a table and talk about problems that we have and sometimes get an answer to those problems. And if we don't get an answer, at least we know someone else is going through the same thing.  So, to me, that's the most important thing that we have that comradery. We make friends that we have for a lifetime, and I’m excited about the newer generation getting involved.