By Carie Moore
It doesn’t matter what side of the political aisle you are on. It doesn’t matter if you live in the inner city. It doesn’t matter if you are pro-GMO or organic. Agriculture plays a huge role in all our lives and it seems almost everything plays a role in agriculture.
If there is a trade war over soybeans, it affects the soy-based products you purchase. If the government shuts down it affects SNAP, TANF, and government assistance to feed families. If there is a flood, blizzard, drought, it affects crops and livestock in that region which were to go into the food supply chain.
If there is a train derailment or barge overturned in the ocean, it affects movement of ag products being hauled to a production facility or port. If Congress or your local legislature deals with bills on tiling, private property, animal welfare, permitting, corporate farming, it all affects YOU and your trip to the grocery store.
People are 2-3 generations removed from the farm and that number is growing with each decade. Although physically removed, they are tied to agriculture just by walking into their grocery store or market and purchasing a random item off the shelf.
Supply and demand drives prices and production. Agriculture is a business, one of the most globally significant ones. If there is a kink anywhere in production, it affects the supply which affects prices -- the prices farmers and ranchers receive and the prices we all pay at the checkout line.
You may not be on the farm, but ag issues affect everyone and it’s worth your time to know what is going on. After attending a hearing last week at our capitol, I was proud of all those who spoke for or against proposed bill changes. I was also taken aback at the priority placed on things above farming, our state’s lifeblood. Traditions and heritage need to live on and will in our state, no matter what, but we need to prioritize them and work together.
Simply put, everything starts with agriculture; from your food to many of the other daily necessities that are results of crop and animal by-products.
Image courtesy Farm Credit Knowledge Center
Please remember that farmers are people but farming is a business; a bittersweet occupation and lifestyle that is done everyday out of dedication not only to their families, but to millions of others all around the world as well.