By Zippy Duvall
American Farm Bureau
The end of the year is quickly approaching, and as I reflect on the time, I am thankful for each person I have met and for the resiliency farmers and ranchers continue to show in the face of every challenge. Although the pandemic is not fully in the rearview yet, I have been grateful for opportunities to get back on the road safely this last year, and meet face-to-face with Farm Bureau members around the country.
This week, I wrapped up my final state visits before the 2022 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Atlanta next month. Over the past nine months, I have seen the ingenuity of farmers and ranchers across this country first hand. I have seen the passion you have for growing the food, fiber and fuel we rely on. I’ve seen your caring hearts as you step up to help those in need.
“These trips give me hope for the future of farming and Farm Bureau.”
I have seen the dedication of our young farmers and ranchers who worked hard to stay connected and continue their work to raise money and food for their communities. I’ve seen the commitment of our Ag Foundation and volunteers around the country to find new ways to reach young people and tell them about agriculture, even when schools were virtual or restricting classroom visits.
I have seen the best of America. But, I have also seen the struggles farmers and ranchers continue to face and learned how we can better work together to overcome these challenges. In Idaho, I joined farmers working to stop a proposal that would remove four critical dams on the Snake River. This river system is home to the highest inland port in the country, the outlet for 10% of U.S. ag exports. While some lawmakers claim that these dams pose a threat to the salmon population, the fact is innovation and infrastructure investments have led to solutions that have been 98% successful in helping fish migrations up and down the Snake River.
In Louisiana, I saw how partnerships with land-grant universities are helping to keep rice and crawfish farmers in businesses through new varieties and growing methods. I heard how Farm Bureau’s advocacy work in 2020 to help crawfish farmers saved local farms.