Opinion: Strong Ag Equals A Strong Country

Rosemary Gordon

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Well, it’s an understatement to say that the election is finally over. No matter what side of the aisle you are on, we can all be happy that we don’t have to be bombarded with campaign ads every time we turn on the TV.

Curious to find out what you think about the outcome, the day after the election our sister publication, American Fruit Grower, ran the following poll question in its weekly eNewsletter: Are you satisfied with the election results? Nearly three-fourths of respondents answered “No.”

The following day, in American Vegetable Grower’s eNewsletter, we included the poll: Now that the election is over, do you expect government regulations to increase or decrease?

More than 96% of respondents said they expect regulations to increase. The responses to these two poll questions speak volumes as to where those in production agriculture stand.

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The Mounting Challenges
If government regulations continue to increase, producing fresh fruits and vegetables will become even more challenging — as if it isn’t challenging enough. As this is the last issue of the year, I went through several of the previous ones to review some highlights, or challenges, as the case may be. In 2012, vegetable growers from all across the country had to deal with unusual weather in the spring, a battle with the Department Of Labor over the experience provision in H-2A applications, an expired Farm Bill, the loss of a fumigant that was slated to replace methyl bromide, and much more.

In October, I had an opportunity to attend United Fresh’s Washington Public Policy Conference where some of these topics, such as labor and immigration, economic and regulatory challenges, and the now-expired Farm Bill, were discussed with elected officials. While there, I had a chance to talk to Charles Wingard of Walter P. Rawl & Sons in Pelion, SC, about the most pressing issues. Wingard, whose family farm produces leafy greens, green onions, and summer squash, said that, without a doubt, immigration is at the top of the list.

“I think growers need to understand that whether they like it or not, government is a key factor in their business and they need to figure out a way to tell elected officials their story,” he said.

Feeding The World
So if the end result is that government is going to be a “key factor” in a grower’s business, how can he get his message across to those holding power? It’s a fact that 9 billion people are expected to grace this planet in the year 2050, and they all want to eat. To feed all these people, the industry will need to increase efficiencies, produce more on less land, use less water, and the list goes on and on.

How will those producing food to feed our country be able to do that if they are constantly concerned about having enough labor or being in compliance with the latest government regulations? For example, emission regulations will drive up the cost of some equipment, and in California growers are dealing with strict water quality regulations — just to name a few.

It is obvious that some regulation must take place. Now, however, it is too much. You have to go beyond telling your “story” to elected officials. You have to make them listen. As AVG’s Grower Achievement Award winner Steve Lyles said: “Strong ag is the key to a strong country.”

We need to get our strength back.

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