Farm Bureau Minute
By Matt Rush
Famed holocaust survivor Dr. Viktor Frankl once said, “Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.”
Farm Bureau has been a part of my “concrete assignment” for as long as I can remember. From the days of my parents involvement in the YF&R, through my own time on the board as the YF&R chair, to serving on the AFBF Foundation for Ag Board, to now serving as your Executive Vice President and CEO, my life has revolved around and through Farm Bureau. I truly value the family friendship that we have in Farm Bureau and know, without a doubt, I would not be the person I am today were it not for this incredible organization.
As I reflect over the past three+ years I am incredibly proud of our team. The Board of Directors, the staff and all of our incredible members, volunteers & friends have led us to some incredible accomplishments. In these few years we have expanded our Ag in the Classroom program, created a Foundation for Agriculture, initiated an agriculture outreach program, ran an enormously successful advertising campaign in the Albuquerque Metro area, completely overhauled our financial statements, grown membership from 15,000 to 18,000 family members, reworked our entire policy book, filled our YF&R and Collegiate boards, all the while increasing our investment portfolio by almost 20%. As with life, there have been ups and downs but we have never waivered from our mission of promoting and protecting New
Mexico’s farmers, ranchers and people who depend on a locally grown food supply.
Approaching this transition, Dr. Frankl’s words have rung loudly in my ear, “We must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment.” From the time I was in Junior High School I knew I wanted to inspire others as a professional speaker and trainer. It is with excitement yet, mixed emotions that I begin the next chapter in my life which “demands fulfillment.” This is a dream come true for me. I hope you will keep my future work of advancing people and agriculture in your thoughts and prayers and support this opportunity for me to implement my new concrete assignment.
Most importantly, a very, special thank you to the greatest staff a boss could ever be blessed to work with. You each made it all possible. And, “Thank You!” to each and every one of you for helping me write this chapter of my life. It has been one I will treasure forever.