Articles Tagged with ''farming''

NEVADA, IOWA, May 5, 2017 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue highlighted the benefits of renewable energy and the need for export markets in a Friday speech to Iowa producers.

On paper, I appear to be the picture perfect stereotype of an east coast liberal: I’ve been working at environmental nonprofits for over 20 years, I’m an Ivy League grad, and I live in the “bluest” county in Virginia. When it comes to first impressions in the world of agriculture, I’ve been met countless times with skepticism and even contempt.

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles in our new Agri-Pulse series: “The seven things you should know before you write the next farm bill.” Each segment provides important background and ‘lessons learned’ that can help inform and stimulate debate before formal work starts on writing the next farm bill.)

By: U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) I come from a state where rural communities serve as the bedrock to our culture and economy. A place where the importance of local leaders – school board members, church deacons and hospital board trustees – is recognized and encouraged.

Perhaps no sector of the American economy is more dependent on trade than agriculture. It is the life blood of the heartland supporting over 15 million jobs throughout the United States.