They've traveled over 13-hundred miles to make their case.

This week Ag Reporter Sarah Gustin shows us the National Farmers Union Fly-In in Washington DC.

Throughout the week she will be following the hundreds of farmers and ranchers walking the halls of our nation's capitol fighting for rural America.

"It's 6:30 Monday morning

As the sun starts to peak out....more than 50 North Dakota farmers and ranchers aren't getting ready for chores...they're preparing themselves for the halls of Congress

(Sarah Gustin / KX News) "I am Sarah Gustin in our capitol city. The National Farmers Union fly-in is about to begin and in a matter of minutes we will be greeted by our National Farmer's Union President, Roger Johnson, as well as our Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack." Please give a very Farmer's Union Welcome to Secretary Tom Vilsack. (US Ag. Secretary Tom Vilsack) "I care deeply about you. I practiced law in a small town. when you represent people who are not just struggling to maintain a home and a farm and a business but a way of life and a value system, you get inside their skin, and you get to know them, and you get to love them. and you want to fight for them. I want this USDA to be your department." Encouraging words from our secretary of agriculture prepares producers to fight for their industry. More than 200 family farmers and ranchers are in our nation's capitol bringing critical ag issues face to face with decision makers

(WOODY BARTH / NDFU Vice President) "SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO GET THE DIRECT MESSAGE FROM FAMILY FARMERS AND RANCHES ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY AND HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THINGS MOVE FORARD ON LEGISLATION HERE IN THE CAPITOL." (Grant Konechne / South Dakota) "This is my first fly-in but what i am really passionate about is bringing down the health care costs for rural producers. my family back home on the farm pays a lot in health care premiums and there is no tax benefit for them." Each member comes with a different concern. Trade, the dairy crisis, renewable energy, climate change and health care are 5 major issues on the agenda

It doesn't matter if you raise livestock or grow grain..

This week they're all just farmers...coming together to let their voices be heard. (Roger Johnson / NFU President) "Farmers Union members are enoromously committed to what they believe in. The don't just always go along with the flow. They are these folks that you see on TV who are screaming without knowing what they are talking about. These guys are out here because they really care about real solutions." Sarah Gustin, Washington DC, KX News."


Tomorrow night we'll follow a group of North Dakotans going door to door speaking with congressional delegation addressing some of the major concerns in rural america. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list