Farm bureaus are an excellent resource for America's farmers and ranchers, providing a wide variety of programs and networking opportunities. In addition to better-known farm bureau insurance, the American Farm Bureau offers up a smorgasbord of useful programs for both the young and old.

There are three main categories of programs offered by the American Farm Bureau and farm associations around the country. If you are a farmer or rancher--or hope to be--carefully consider the following farm bureaus basics:

1. Educational programs offered by the farmers bureau

2. Youth opportunities provided by farm organizations

3. Idea-swapping possibilities offered by agriculture farm bureaus

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Explore the educational potential of associations for farmers

One of the most important areas the American Farm Bureau is involved in is education. Their Foundation for Agriculture division sponsors research programs, provides education about farm safety and offers scholarships toward education. Educating for Ag, on the other hand, focuses on learning opportunities for young children.

I recommend: The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture website offers information about a variety of research projects; click on the links to the left to learn more about scholarships and other educational opportunities, or click the "Order Materials" button at the top left of the page to order educational books and brochures. For educational materials suitable for children, Educating About Ag offers a wide variety of resources.

Look into programs for young farmers offered by organizations for farmers

With an objective for building leadership among people 18 to 35, the American Farm Bureau's Young Farmer and Rancher program focuses on preserving individual freedoms and further developing agriculture. This farmer's association group works hand-in-hand with America's Second Harvest to assist in the feeding of hungry Americans through the 'Harvest for All' program.

I recommend: See the American Farm Bureau's website for more information about the Young Farmer and Rancher program, which includes conferences, networking, competitions and more. To learn more about "Harvest for All," see their page on the American Farm Bureau website.

Participate in idea exchanges through the farmers organization

The Farmer's Idea Exchange (or FIE) is an annual contest designed to encourage innovations in farming, including equipment improvements, new ideas for crops, marketing concepts and much more. Up to 15 ideas are then displayed at the American Farm Bureau's Convention. The County Activities of Excellence (or CAE) recognizes superior county Farm Bureau programs, allowing them to share their successful ideas with the nation.

I recommend: For information about FIE, see their page on the American Farm Bureau's website. To learn how to enter your county program into County Activities of Excellence, see the CAE's website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You needn't own a farm in order to participate in the farm bureau's programs.

Insurance is critical for farmers, home and vehicle owners. Farm Bureaus offer some of the best insurance packages available nationwide, along with other services. The American Farm Bureau Federation is the largest of the general farm organizations in the United States. Yearly membership dues in agriculture farm bureaus normally get you discounts on hotels, rental cars, consumer items, new vehicles and access to free online classifieds, along with insurance and financial services.

Consider joining agriculture farm bureaus for the following reasons:

1. You operate a farm and are concerned about public policy pertaining to farming -- farm bureaus are active in lobbying state and national lawmaking bodies when they deal with farm issues.
2. Insurance to cover your home, auto, farming or ranching operation -- farm associations offer insurance packages with hard-to-beat premiums, and they are very good about adjustments and paying claims.
3. Take advantage of membership in agricultural farm bureaus savings on hotels, rental cars, new vehicles, and other consumer items -- check farm associations websites for your individual state to see what services they offer.
4. You have money to invest for retirement or other purposes -- associations for farmers offer comprehensive financial services including annuities, Internet banking, loans, credit card services and savings accounts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the website for your state farm bureau

All 50 states and Puerto Rico have active Farm Bureau Federations. Each has a website you access to get information pertaining to services offered in your state and how to contact a local agent.

I recommend: Access an interactive map of the US to choose your state Farm Bureau Federation. An alternative is the National Farmers Union for insurance services.

Get access to financial services offered by farm bureaus

Pay annual dues to get on board with checking, savings, health service accounts, credit cards, mortgage, vehicle and operating loans.

I recommend: Go to Farm Bureau Bank online to access financial services.

Insure your farm, home, health, automobiles, and crops through your local Farm Bureau

Don't let a crop failure or other disaster catch you unprepared.

I recommend: To find agents for Federal Crop Insurance in your state, visit American Farm Bureau Insurance Services, Inc., and for a farm bureau insurance quote on auto, home, life and health insurance services see Farm Bureau Insurance. Another farmer's organization offering solid insurance products is Grange.

Use Farm Bureau Financial Services to fund your retirement

Set up Individual Retirement Accounts, annuities, and mutual funds at Farm Bureau. You can get a variable, fixed, or single premium immediate annuity at Farm Bureau. Learn how retirement funding and annuities function.

I recommend: Farm Bureau Financial Services for complete retirement products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Insurance products offered by organizations for farmers differ according to state law and requirements. Check your state farmer's bureau website to see what services they offer.
• •  Owning a farm is not required for membership in a farmer's bureau.

Among the most common resources for a farm's finances, farm bureaus offer a few benefits to farmers: one of the things that farm bureaus assist with is getting insurance for crops, buildings and all of the assets of an entire "farmstead" at affordable rates. Farm bureaus can also offer "perks" like discounts on lodging, along with informational resources. Farmers may pay dues to these farm organizations in return. Farm bureaus are often categorized by state, as each state has its own general insurance requirements.

Farm owners or managers may not undergo formal training to enter into agreements with farm bureaus, but what they can do is check out the web for some helpful assistance in finding the right farm bureau and the right farm bureau insurance. Readers can find farm bureaus education and training resources online, including:

1. Farm bureau information directly from one of these state farm bureaus offering details about how an agency offers insurance and more to farmers.

2. Other information from "outside" organizations and publications involving the use of farm bureaus.

3. More from "review-type" sites where farmers can take a look at what specific farm bureau insurers and farm organization shops offer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go directly to the websites of farm bureau insurance providers

A lot of the questions that farm managers may have can be answered at the sites of specific state farm bureaus and farm bureau insurance providers. These are often readily available in an FAQ or sequential setup.

I recommend: Find out about farmers bureau insurance options in a specific state through detailed FAQs and info pages at sites like this one for Tennessee. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau page is another example of a laid-out answer set for state farmers looking at farm association options.

Find more farm bureaus info from public sites

Some of these third party sites are just reporting on farm bureaus, albeit sometimes with an ax to grind, about the way these organizations generally influence farm finance. Other sites are offering guidance toward farm bureaus by state. Either way, reading along helps farm managers get part of a bigger picture on associations for farmers and the use of farm bureaus in modern agriculture.

I recommend: For a look at a somewhat unusual viewpoint on farm associations and institutes in the country, see recent pages of the Multinational Monitor where the American Farm Bureau and related agencies are roundly treated in what might be described as a "muckraking" type of review. Take another look at national agriculture farm bureaus insurance venues or find agents by state at the Farm Bureau Insurance Racing site.

Locate financial farm bureaus details from review sites

Other sites are set up to give farmers and organizations for farmers first-hand information from other independent users who review farm bureaus and insurance providers online.

I recommend: Review farm bureau insurance products at ViewPoints. Find more of these kinds of reviews along with colorful charts and financial details at FreeAdvice.