Kirk Maag is an agriculture and timber attorney who grew up working alongside his family on a farm in eastern Oregon. He is proud of his roots in agriculture, and he is also proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. As a board member for the Oregon FFA Foundation and Cultivating Change Foundation, Kirk is an advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals in agriculture and encourages allies to show up and show support.
Kirk’s agricultural community involvement began on his family’s farm and feedlot. He was involved in 4-H and FFA, where he eventually served as an Oregon FFA State Officer before enrolling at Oregon State University.
His passion for environmental and natural resources law and policy motivated him to attend law school at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. Now, he represents clients in the agriculture and timber industries and helps them navigate complex regulations and operate farmland and forestland.
When asked why he is proud to be part of the agriculture community, Kirk says, “The agriculture industry produces the food and fiber needed to keep us fed, clothed, and sheltered and continues to innovate to do so for a growing world population.”
“In terms of the people, I’ve found my closest friendships with people in the agriculture community – people who share a common affinity for the agriculture industry and rural communities.”
Cultivating Change in Agriculture
Kirk is also an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in agriculture. He has been involved in the Cultivating Change Foundation since its founding, which seeks to elevate and value LGBTQ+ individuals in the agriculture industry through advocacy, education, and community building.
He has seen firsthand how the Oregon agriculture community has come together to show support for LGBTQ+ individuals and make them feel welcome.
While progress has been made in promoting inclusivity, Kirk acknowledges that there is still work to be done.
“We still have work to do to ensure that every young person who is passionate about agriculture knows there is a place for them in the agriculture industry regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Kirk encourages LGBTQ+ individuals in the agriculture community to find opportunities to build community with other underrepresented groups and allies. “Cultivate community with allies. Share your story with people.”
Allies in Agriculture
Kirk also has advice for allies in the larger agriculture community. He encourages them to show up and participate in events designed to value and elevate individuals from underrepresented groups in agriculture.
“While there may not always be specific LGBTQ+-focused events, there are still opportunities to show support and promote inclusivity in your community, ” says Kirk.
By working together, the agriculture community can continue to make progress in promoting inclusivity and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. Kirk’s advocacy and leadership serve as an inspiration for others to follow in his footsteps and help create a more inclusive agriculture community.
You can connect with Kirk on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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