Through a series of articles we call The State, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Advocacy and Political Affairs team is providing analysis related to "the state of" various aspects related to advocacy and political trends impacting farmers and ranchers and rural Americans.

As the COVID-19 pandemic passes a grim one-year milestone, we cast a hopeful eye toward the near future as vaccine availability increases and more people become immunized against this deadly virus. Many of us hold on to optimism that by the fall we will be solidly on our way to a post-pandemic normal. But until that time, for those of us doing grassroots work, we must press on with our modified version of advocacy – that is, virtual advocacy.

Many groups involved in citizen advocacy, including those representing farmers and ranchers, are growing weary of virtual grassroots engagements. And why shouldn’t we be? A full year of meeting after meeting over video conferencing is monotonous. Virtual conferences are just not the same as the in-person experience. A Zoom meeting with your U.S. senator is not as exciting as being with them in their office on Capitol Hill or attending a meeting with them in Washington.