Farmers and ranchers are among the most highly regarded professionals in the United States today with a recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey showing 88 percent of Americans trust farmers. The research also shows a wide gap in the public’s views of those who grow our food and how they grow it, with only one in five people expressing a high level of trust in modern agriculture.
Americans enjoy an affordable and safe food supply, but the growing trust gap between farmers and farm practices threatens to undermine this surplus of good fortune. A coalition of individuals and agricultural organizations has formed the U.S. Agriculture Partnership Foundation (USAPF) to amplify the values shared by both farmers and the public to elevate the importance of agricultural policy in a bipartisan manner. Our board of directors are farmers and food policy experts including Kip Tom as Chairman, Nicole Montna Van Vleck as Vice-Chairwoman, Collin Peterson, Randy Russell and Lisa Van Doren.
One of the United States’ key sources of strength is its robust food supply, which not only meets the needs of our citizens, but also provides for others around the world. This pantry stocked with nutritious, safe and affordable food isn’t just a defense against hunger, it’s also a vital piece of our nation’s security.
America’s agricultural policy has helped avoid humanitarian disasters at home and abroad. Others haven’t been as fortunate. The Sri Lanka government’s top-down attempt to ban fertilizers and pesticides reduced domestic rice production by 20 percent in just six months. The ongoing war in Ukraine has disrupted food supplies in the Middle East and Africa. The European Union’s Farm to Fork initiative to create a “sustainable” food system is only sustainable so long as few others adopt it, since it would increase global food prices an estimated 89 percent.
The success of modern agriculture in America is farmers are producing more food with fewer resources. Without the adoption of scientifically sound farming practices over the past three decades, today’s farmers would need nearly 100 million more acres to achieve today’s production levels. On top of that, agricultural producers have made voluntary conservation efforts on more than 140 million acres.
But the industry faces well-funded and well-coordinated efforts designed to not only disrupt these successes but to also dismantle the food supply chain as we know it. A small minority of people outside of agriculture push false narratives and argue for aggressive policies that will make farmers’ jobs more difficult and raise costs for consumers.
The recent passage of California’s Proposition 12 is a prime example of the tactics used. This so-called animal welfare law was passed by California voters, but it will affect pork and poultry producers in every state due to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. In essence, less than 3 percent of the U.S. population has set a national policy that will force farmers to undertake expensive renovations and raise costs for consumers.
By providing valuable insights and information about agriculture’s impact on society, we at the USAPF aim to enhance public understanding of the industry’s vital role so future policies adhere to the realities of growing the food and fiber that are the mainstays of America. Through various communication channels, we strive to create conversations that shape public opinion and influence policy decisions that align with our shared values. Additionally, we will raise awareness about the importance of agriculture in our daily lives, highlighting the significant contributions of farmers and the agricultural community, as well as consumer preferences shaping the market.
We know everybody eats, but opinions on food and how it’s produced are as varied as the people who make up our country. Working together we can continue to enjoy a safe and affordable food supply while strengthening our national security without compromising our dedication to creating a better world for future generations.
Whether it’s the family dinner table or the counter at the local diner, we’ll never tell you what to eat. We just want the opportunity to have an honest conversation about the common interests farmers, food manufacturers and consumers share to better inform public policy. Learn more at usapf.org and join the conversation.
– The USAPF Board
