ADT President Buckman is Connector in Ag Data Space
Emily Buckman’s career path from a farm in Central Kentucky to working with members of Congress and advocating for farmers is one characterized by connecting the dots. Buckman, who is Director of Government Affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), serves as president of Ag Data Transparent and is passionate about the intersection of technology and farming.
“We are in an age with new technology arriving on the farm every day,” Buckman says. “Growing up, I didn’t realize all of the policy decisions that impact agriculture and now know it is essential to connect the dots between the innovation farmers are using and those who are regulating it,” she says.
Buckman earned a degree in political science, and while law school may have been an early goal, a class in state government set her on a different path. “I was encouraged to do an internship in Washington, D.C., working for my member of Congress. I enjoyed my experience, and after graduation I made the decision to return to Washington to work full-time.” As she worked her way up the legislative team, Buckman became particularly interested in ag policy and moved on to a role at the USDA in Rural Development.
Supporting rural communities and connecting their needs to ag policy resonated with her and led to a role with the Kentucky Farm Bureau working on federal issues. Buckman was in this role during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This period of time, while unprecedented, was a valuable learning experience and led to my involvement in standing up programs to help the supply side of agriculture and advocate for our farmers,” she says.
Buckman made the move to AFBF with a focus that connects her prior experience, including rural development and ag technology. “It is fascinating to see how ag data is being used to support advancements in the agriculture industry, but it is just as important for farmers to know how their information is being used.”
She sees ADT as way to help farmers build trust with their technology providers and appreciates how ADT brings stakeholders together. “I am able to get insight from the tech providers and bring the voice of the farmer, it is good to connect both sides of the relationship and maintain an open line of communication.”
There is no doubt that the intersection of technology, data and policy will continue to be a complicated one. “ADT brings great value as an organization that can build transparency, simplicity and trust between tech providers and farmers,” Buckman says. “It is so important to make that connection.”