Farmer Voices Needed On Trade Missions

This is Tim Hammerich of the Ag Information Network with your Farm of the Future Report.

Trade agreements may be signed by government officials, but farmers themselves may be some of the best ambassadors for U.S. agriculture. USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs Luke Lindberg encourages producers to share their stories and help build relationships with buyers around the world to increase export markets.

Lindberg… “ Folks around the world want to buy products and our food from the farmers themselves. They like to meet with me, and we have great conversations about how we can work together and how we can provide the nutrition and the food they need to live thriving, healthy lives. But they love hearing from US farmers about the way in which their products are raised, grown, produced, harvested—why their beef is better, why their almonds taste a little bit better or have a higher nutrient profile, or why it is that we grow soybeans in a certain way. And so I always encourage farmers out there to help us out, come on these trade missions, get involved with your state ag department or state trade office. Get involved with your commodity organizations. We need a full court press right now from US farmers out in the field around the world telling your story.”

Lindberg says this increased farmer involvement will get the U.S. back to a trade surplus.