Photo credit: Unsplash/Matthew T Rader

Do you ever wonder what you would do without technology? My family recently spent a few days in a cabin in the mountains with no Wi-Fi and limited phone service. It didn’t take long for us to realize how we all – young and old – have grown dependent on the luxuries of technology. And I couldn’t help but think of how much life has changed since my parents were my age.

Back then, they received their news from the local newspaper, the country store, the radio or the evening news on one of three television channels. And if I remember correctly, those three stations would sign off the air each night at midnight by playing the national anthem and go completely silent until the next morning. It goes without saying that the news most definitely does not go silent when the clock strikes midnight these days. Generally speaking, our news, information and, really, our conversations are delivered through computers, cell phones, iPads, social media and more.

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There’s no doubt: The way we do life has changed – but I can’t forget it also changed in my parents’ lifetime. My dad was born in 1925 and began farming with horses and mules, but by his passing, he enjoyed the benefits of cab tractors that provided protection from the many elements of farming. A lifelong dairy farmer, Dad went from placing milk in 10-gallon milk cans cooled by water in the springhouse to a 2,000-gallon stainless steel tank cooled by its own compressor. On the crop side, when my father was young and his family grew sweet corn, it was very likely they would have some worms eat at the corn. Later in his life, chemicals were used to keep the worms away, and today, corn has been engineered safely to resist worms and to not need chemicals.

“Yes, the Tennessee Farm Bureau has changed, but along the way, our core values, our role in the agriculture industry, our grassroots structure and our driving purpose as an organization have remained the same.” – Jeff Aiken

As transformative as that time was, keep in mind we now carry more technology in our smartphones than the first space shuttle. Whether it’s the device in your hand or the GPS in a farmer’s tractor, all technologies exist to maximize efficiency and provide a better way of doing things. While I’m not aware of anyone fearful of utilizing a cell phone, farming technologies have also taken significant strides. However, many express reservations toward adopting such technology related to food production when, in reality, it exists to maximize yields while efficiently using input items, providing better protection for consumers and the environment.

Photo credit: Michael Conti

All of this is to say: Things change. As you know, we are celebrating 100 years of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, and as you can imagine, things have drastically changed since 1921. We’ve grown from just a few agricultural members to more than 679,000 family members from various backgrounds and locations across the state. The way we communicate with our members, other leaders in the agriculture industry and decision-makers has changed. Our services have evolved considerably, and our leaders have changed through the years too. Our organization looks completely different, but I also think there is some truth to that old saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

See more: Appreciating a Century of the Tennessee Farm Bureau While Looking to the Future

Yes, the Tennessee Farm Bureau has changed, but along the way, our core values, our role in the agriculture industry, our grassroots structure and our driving purpose as an organization have remained the same. Why? Because agriculture and rural Tennessee needed a voice in 1921 and we still need a voice today. Our mission statement says “to develop, foster, promote and protect programs for the general welfare, including economic, social, education and political well-being of farm people of the great state of Tennessee.” It’s been our mission since the beginning, and as long as farmers and rural people of this great state continue to sacrifice and provide for each of us daily, we fully intend on it remaining our mission. There’s no question we will continue to experience change as the next 100 years go by, but I hope and pray some things do stay the same – because the people who make up this incredible organization are humble, selfless and God-fearing folks. The purpose behind what we do is so incredibly important, not just to farmers but to all Tennesseans.

In hindsight, I’m grateful we didn’t have Wi-Fi and phone service during my family’s recent stay in the mountains. It allowed us to focus on family and the beauty of God’s creation, things we should never take for granted. We descended the mountain with a renewed appreciation for all the luxuries we enjoy today. Similarly, I hope you enjoy this special edition of our Tennessee Home & Farm magazine, and as you look back through the years with us, reflect on how maybe over your lifetime, the more things have changed, the more they might have actually stayed the same.

About the author: Jeff Aiken is president of Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. He and his wife, Carol, work tirelessly to advocate for farm families across the state. They also remain active with their family farm in Washington County.