Why? New Dist. 9 Director Dan Vogler explains.

Who doesn’t love a good two-fer? My Dec. 20 chat with new District 9 Director Dan Vogler weighed in at 63 minutes and left me with enough information for two articles. 

The nuts-n-bolts version hit the airwaves that same afternoon. Consider this follow-up as an addendum that goes a little deeper into what’s on Dan’s mind.

Why Now?

“I think we’re in a transitional moment, with a new president” and now Vogler himself taking that new president’s place representing District 9.

Transition to what? Let’s start with his own, onto the state board of directors:

“Coming home from the annual meeting and talking about it with my family, we agreed it was something I could contribute meaningfully to. I don’t like being involved if I don’t feel my participation is in some way going to be valuable.”

Participation... Valuable...

Everyone acquainted with member involvement knows ‘value’ is a keyword, as in the value of Farm Bureau membership. It can be hard to pin down — a slippery fish, if you will — but remember Dan’s a fish farmer with a firm grip.

“Farm Bureau’s meant a lot to our family and our farm operation,” he said. “I can definitively say that without Farm Bureau advocating on behalf of our business, we would not be here anymore.”

One more time: “I can definitively say that without Farm Bureau advocating on behalf of our business, we would not be here anymore.”

That doesn’t mean MFB’s necessarily calmed the waters, though. Michigan is still a tough place to raise fish for a living, and an even tougher place to expand your existing fish farm — just ask him about Grayling.

The bigger point is he’s choosing to participate because he feels he can add value to the membership, which can only strengthen the organization. 

Why At All?

If Dan’s motivation for investing his own time back into Farm Bureau is fairly cut-n-dried, he knows that’s not always the case. The organization’s member-involvement challenge is as evergreen as a Wexford County Christmas tree farm.

“MFB’s having a hard time energizing small-membership counties like mine. We talk about being a statewide organization…and we really like this grassroots idea where people go out and write new members, but if you’ve got a small county and your involved-member list is just the board? It’s not a lack of invitation; people don’t see the value.”

He lauds the recent shift in county Farm Bureau financing as an important step forward, but quickly notes that healthier budgets don’t equate directly to increased involvement.

“How do we tackle this at the county level? Challenge people to step up and do what needs doing? How do we reach those folks with a message that matters?

“How do you energize a membership base to get them involved? How do we pump life into our smaller counties? Get people more engaged? 

“At the end of the day, if we don’t have these small counties engaged, we don’t represent the state very well.”

The Farm Bureau communicator writing this article has been part of innumerable conversations and can assure you Dan’s thoughts are echoed in all of them. They’re often circular and involve a lot of question marks.

And Why Him?

Any five minutes with Dan Vogler betrays a restless curiosity and mischievous glint that suggests he’s likely thinking a few steps ahead. Couple that with a passion for affecting positive change, and an eagerness to roll up his sleeves. 

“I think this is an opportunity to serve a broader group of people, and I want to represent District 9 well,” he said. “We’re kind of a weird district and I’ve got a lot to learn. We’ve got a LOT of specialty things going on up here — possibly none more than our own place — so I get what it’s like being the odd man out.”

But as a niche producer in region where niche production is the norm, he also understands and values the necessity of listening, learning and forging strong alliances.

“I’ve been president of the Michigan Aquaculture Association for a long time, and what you realize as leader of a small association is this: If you don’t walk in the room hand in hand with your big brother, you’re not going to be listened to.”

Then he lists a who’s-who of heavy hitters on staff — “Ernie and Rob and Smego and Laura” — who’ve walked into those proverbial rooms at his back.

Reach Out

Finally, to reiterate a point he announced in that earlier article: Dan means every word about reaching out to him with your issues and concerns. 

“I actually respond to email,” he said, “And I know how to talk to people and not being so cocky that you don’t feel like you need to ask. So if you’ve got an issue, call me and let me know.

“I’ve led a statewide organization for years and been on national-level boards, and the thing that I hate the most is going to an annual meeting and someone giving you $900 worth of trouble for not fixing a problem they didn’t even let you know about.”

So, District 9 members: Dan’s in-box is open and his phone is charged up. 

And as always: Use your voice.