We’re always busy, but this Nov. 5 it’s imperative you make your voice heard — and that we make agriculture’s voice heard — by getting out to vote.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), farm and ranch families make up less than 2% of the U.S. population. Yet, we feed the nation.

We can tend to be a quiet, stoic lot, but that doesn’t send much direction to those writing the rules or leading our governing bodies at the local, state or national level. They need your input, and casting your vote sends a clear signal of what’s important to you.

No doubt, some of our votes will cancel each other out, but the shear fact we vote in mass — if we vote in mass — will draw greater attention to the significance of the ag vote. Afterall, it’s better to be 2% than 0.02%.

Do your homework

I don’t intend to tell you who to vote for. Each of us has the right to our own opinion. No one side is all right, nor one side all wrong. And, as I was reminded, there’s more than two parties in this race. We should be able discuss ideas from opposing viewpoints to make an initial idea better because it considers multiple viewpoints.

Unfortunately, media feeds today offer more political hype than substance — and that goes for newscasts, as well as advertising and social feeds.

It’s going to take a little work on your part, but do make yours an informed decision. Do your homework, then vote.

Use the links in the “Digital EXTRAs” below to check out the party platforms. Check out how candidates have voted in the past and the platform issues that have been important to them. Check out what they’ve said — and what they’ve done. And, remember, it’s more than a presidential election.

If you are not going to be home on election day, figure out how to vote ahead of time. Angus Convention is Nov. 1-4. We want you at the convention; but, remember to vote the day after. If travel plans put you en route, vote before you come. Agriculture can’t afford to have your vote uncast.