Building community and our activism is a lot like planting crops. For a lot of midwestern states and southern states, there is a hope that the winter wheat crop is coming in.
HGTV sums it up like this:
Cover crops are also instrumental in preventing soil erosion. A winter wheat planting, in particular, excels at anchoring soil, thanks to its extensive and deep, fibrous root system. Winter wheat’s root system helps prevent soil compaction and improves soil aeration, which fosters healthy populations of soil microbes and beneficial organisms.
For too long Democratic efforts haven’t focused on planting the seeds that bring in winter wheat, the candidate crops and efforts that prevent erosion. But 2016 and 2017 were planter’s years, and nationally, we’re starting to see a lot of crops come in.
That’s good for us — and with C!U!A! I’m hoping that we can keep planting seeds, not just for this November, but start prepping for what comes next in Spring 2019 in some places and Fall 2019 in others.
Last week, I previewed our outreach to Nebraska, but I thought I’d take a chance to give a bit more of the roadmap.
Some of you reading this know that next week, many of us will be in New Orleans for Netroots Nation. If you’re attending, I hope you take the time to come to the Nuts & Bolts panel, Friday afternoon, which will feature myself, Christine Pelosi, Daily Kos’ own Carolyn Fiddler, DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake, and several special guests who’ve run for everything from local community races to current runs for US House — trust me, it’ll be exciting.
At Netroots Nation, though, I hope to have time to talk to more of the Daily Kos membership about how we can start planting seeds in your community, no matter where you are in the country.
To highlight that, we’re working with Nebraska Democrats as one of our first efforts to build activism — there will be several events all over before we hit election day!
The Morrison-Exon event
A lot of attention focuses on the dinner and award ceremony, a way to reward the members of the party for their dedication. But, if we’re going to plant some seeds, it means we have to put in the work! So, I’m traveling up early and will be working with Nebraska Democrats to help work their doors on behalf of their Senate & House candidates.
We’re doing it because it fulfills the most important role of this series: To Connect. To Unite. To Act. I always add one other item: to Grow.
After canvassing, we’re going to see what growth looks like in Nebraska, where they plan to hand out these awards.
Bob Kerrey 1st/2nd/3rd District Volunteer Award
Nominees for this award should be volunteers who personify the spirit of the Nebraska Democratic Party. The award is given to an individual who is tireless in supporting the Nebraska Democratic Party activities and campaigns for Democratic candidates and creates a positive image of the Party and its candidates within the 1st/2nd/3rd District respectively. An award is given to one volunteer per Congressional District.
JFK Award
Nominees for this award should be a young person (using the age criteria of the Young Democrats which is under 35 years old) honored for their exceptional volunteer activities and participation within the Party. The award is given to an individual who is active in energizing other young Democrats with Nebraska Democratic Party ideals and principles. Nominees do not have to be affiliated with an organized Young Democrats group.
FDR Award
Nominees should be a volunteer who personifies the spirit of the Nebraska Democratic Party. The award is given to an individual who is tireless in supporting the Nebraska Democratic Party activities and campaigns for Democratic candidates and creates a positive image of the party and its candidates.
This is planting the seed, building a future for their efforts, and I look forward to meeting with the great young volunteers, planners, and organizers who hope to make changes in their state.
We’ll have announcements soon about where I’m off to next — maybe I should make it a Where’s Chris type game(?) But, keep watching, every week.
And if you have people working to bring in votes and grow the community, absolutely leave some comments, start a discussion, and let’s start growing.