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Stand With the Right People July 26, 2010

By Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau

I was in Tucson this weekend for the Arizona Cattle Growers Convention. The Ranching families of this Arizona organization and those that have a dual membership in Arizona Farm Bureau are some of the most wonderful people I know. Quality people.

Greeted with hugs and smiles, tight handshakes and encouragement, the ranch families familiar with me asked all sorts of questions and got up to speed on the latest Farm Bureau news and Julie’s brand of news in general.

It’s a tough time among Arizona ranch families right now. Not just economics, but security. You could feel the concern and commitment, through policy development, to secure our southern border. Through the Restore Our Border 18-point plan, Arizona Cattle Growers hope to never let happen what occurred this last March with the murder of Southern Arizona Rancher Robert Krentz.

I met Sue Krentz, wife of Robert, this weekend and was humbled to meet such a gracious and courageous women. You can sense her deep loss and hurt, but through it all she’s maintaining a vigilance about making things right on the border. She attends local county and city meetings and is regularly calling on leaders to take a stand. She has.

Arizona Farm Bureau’s own 10-year slog through this issue, secure our border and reform the visa program, has seemed endless and a lonely fight at times. It should not take a death for the world to notice. Tragedy truncates the talk and moves us to action. But it should not take a tragedy.

These connections to me are lifelong. They go beyond the job. Maybe it’s my farm background. In some ways, it’s more. People, Americans, standing for what’s right. These are the people I intend to stand with.

Comments»

1. Chris - July 28, 2010

Good words, Julie, thanks!

2. Tiffany - July 28, 2010

Me too!

3. Suzanne Menges - August 1, 2010

Julie,
Thanks for a great article. There is so much that unites us with other agriculturists in this state. As many issues as we all face, it is nevertheless important for us all to support one another. While I may not be affected by someone else’s issue today, I may need their support tomorrow. In many ways, we’re all in this together!

4. Kacie - August 2, 2010

Great reminder Julie, Thank you!