263: Stop Complaining and Start Showing Up with Emma Coffman

Getting involved in the cattle industry doesn’t have to mean running for national office or stepping into a high-profile leadership role. It can start with showing up to a meeting, asking better questions, or having a real conversation at your local grocery store. In this episode, Lauren and Emma unpack what “getting involved” actually looks like, why positive discourse matters, and how producers at every level can step off their operation and into meaningful participation. From local boards to national policy conversations, this episode challenges the mindset of “them” and shifts it to “me.”LinksEmma's Links - https://linktr.ee/doubleeranch ⁠CattleUSA Website - ⁠https://www.cattleusa.com/⁠ Facebook - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamedia⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusadrive.com/premiumCattleUSA Media - ⁠https://www.cattleusamedia.com/⁠ Lauren’s Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/⁠ Lauren’s Youtube - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Showboatmediaco⁠ The Next Generation Podcast Website - ⁠https://www.thenextgenag.com/⁠Key Takeaways• Complaining without participation does nothing for the industry• Positive discourse is necessary for growth and long-term sustainability• Differing opinions reflect diverse operations and environments• Ranching in Arizona looks different than ranching in Kansas or New York• National decisions affect producers differently across regions• Open-mindedness is critical in policy and organizational conversations• Research requires effort beyond headlines and social media summaries• Getting involved does not require stepping into a leadership position• Community-level involvement builds the foundation for national impact• You can start by observing — you don’t have to speak immediately• Trying different organizations is okay; not every fit is permanent• Relationships built through involvement expand access to knowledge and resources• Education and advocacy can happen in everyday interactions• Consumer-level conversations are just as important as policy work• Real change starts locally, not in WashingtonChapters00:00 Nashville recap and setting the tone01:30 What “getting involved” actually means03:00 Positive discourse vs defensive reactions05:40 National vs regional lived experiences07:30 Research, misinformation, and open-mindedness10:00 Starting small and finding your fit12:30 Leadership isn’t the only path14:00 Advocacy in everyday conversations16:30 Shifting from “them” to “me”18:00 Practical first steps for producerscattle industry involvement, producer advocacy, agricultural leadership, beef industry policy, positive discourse in agriculture, rancher community engagement, Farm Bureau involvement, extension agent resources, producer voice in policy, agricultural education outreach, beef industry participation, rural community leadership