Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack encouraged nearly 70,000 FFA members on Thursday to develop entrepreneurial-minded agriculture operations that can benefit from diversified sources of income.
Vilsack's speech at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis was billed as a continuation of President Biden’s “Barnstorm” of Rural America tour, which started with a Minnesota farm visit on Wednesday.
Vilsack laid out the challenges food insecurity, climate change, loss of farmland and income inequality pose for future generations, and he expressed optimism about the opportunities to capitalize on markets for climate-smart commodities and locally produced food.
Many of his themes coincided with President Biden’s message at Wednesday criticizing agriculture industry consolidation with a vision to reignite rural America.
“If we're going to have better days ahead for American agriculture, we must embrace better ways to support our small and mid-sized farmers,” Vilsack said.
He encouraged the next generation to focus on diversifying farm income streams by not being “just the seller of a commodity, but an entrepreneurial enterprise.”
He estimates 473,000 farms and 141 million acres of farmland have been lost since his career began in 1981. The secretary called on students to determine if the trend continues.
“I know that your FFA experiences prepare you to face these challenges with bold solutions, clear thought and an eye toward progress," he said.
Vilsack’s vision includes diversifying income streams in addition to traditional commodity sales. Those income sources can include adding value to ag waste, implementing carbon sequestration practices, and taking advantage of local and regional food systems.
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After his speech, Vilsack signed a five-year renewal of a memorandum of understanding with the National FFA Organization.
The agreement “paves the way for the continued evolution of the agriculture industry and empowers today's youth to meet the demands of the agriculture pipeline,” said National FFA CEO Scott Stump.
More than 945,000 students are members of the National FFA Organization in 9,163 local chapters across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The school-based leadership development organization aims to help students develop personally and as leaders through agricultural education.
FFA members from Missouri, Alaska, Mississippi, Connecticut and Montana, among other states, also participated in an hour-long conversation session with Vilsack following the MOU signing.
“I am here today to say very clearly: I believe in you, the next generation of agriculture leaders,” Vilsack said.
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