Vilsack: Prosperity is elusive for too many farms, ranches
Vilsack outlined $3 billion in USDA investments in 141 projects to advance climate-smart farming and forestry prac- tices that he said would help “farmers, ranchers and producers...receive a higher value for their work.” In addition, he cited $7 billion in aid to farmers across the country for financial relief for crop and commodity losses from 2020 and 2021 natural disasters. “We want to create a vibrant and re- silient rural economy,” Vilsack said. “We want to create opportunity for farmers,
not just to depend on a commodity market that can change on a whim but to be able to have three, four, five or six different profit centers operating out of their farm.” He said he wants to help farmers “continue to farm and to be able to say to the next generation and the next generation that they too can have the same opportunity.” (Peter Hecht is chief editor of publications for the California Farm Bureau. He may be reached at phecht@cfbf.com.)
By Peter Hecht U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, addressing the America Farm Bureau Federation’s annual conference last week, described troubling contradictions for farmers who endured soaring produc- tion costs, supply-chain disruptions, nat- ural disasters and more. On one hand, Vilsack noted “the in- credible story of resilience” for the na- tion’s agriculture, which emerged from the pandemic and global economic crises to produce “the two best years of farm income probably in the history of this country” in 2021 and 2022. “American farmers responded to the challenge a number of years ago to con- tinue to produce more, not just for our needs here in the U.S. but also for the needs around the world,” he said. But increasing agricultural produc- tion, Vilsack said, hasn’t translated to increased earnings for the average family farm or ranch. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, about half of U.S. farm families had negative farm income. Many, Vilsack said, rely on off- farm income to make ends meet. “As secretary of agriculture, it’s always difficult to know that some are doing incredibly well, and we’re thankful for that,” Vilsack said. “But to know that 50% or more of our farm families had nega- tive farm income in a time of record farm profits suggests to me that we need to do more. We need to create more opportu- nities, more revenue streams, more mar- kets, more help.” In a wide-ranging speech in Puerto Rico at the gathering of America’s largest agricultural organization, Vilsack out- lined multiple steps USDA is undertaking to boost opportunities and earnings for farmers and ranchers. He said the intent is “to make American agriculture not just the most productive in the world—as it is—but also profitable. Not for many, but for all.” Specifically, Vilsack cited the Biden ad- ministration’s $500 million initiative that seeks to boost the U.S. domestic fertilizer industry in the wake of the Russian inva- sion of Ukraine. That conflict triggered global shortfalls in fertilizer supplies, inflating costs and diminishing profits for farmers. “Your world was turned upside down... because it disrupted our capacity to re- ceive important inputs,” Vilsack told the AFBF gathering. Vilsack said an initial $88 million is being invested in 21 potential projects that target companies that make prod- uct in America and that use “innovative approaches that would be sustainable and, most importantly, would be farmer focused to make sure that we’re hitting the mark.” He said the effort is intended to create “new sources of income, new market opportunities and reduced input costs based on (being) made in America.”
Vilsack promoted USDA efforts to expand competition in the meat in- dustry to create new revenue streams for small livestock ranchers. He cited 22 projects to build new or expanded meat processing facilities to create an “opportunity for better bargains and better choices for consumers and better income for farmers.”
BOOST YOUR PEST CONTROL
NEW FAST-ACTING INSECTICIDE FOR VEGETABLES NOW APPROVED FOR USE IN CALIFORNIA
Help keep aphids, thrips, and whiteflies out of vegetable crops with NEW Senstar ® Insecticide from Valent U.S.A. With two effective modes of action, Senstar provides stellar control against soft-bodied insects, protecting vegetables from unwanted invasions. Quickly eliminate harmful insects at all life stages — including eggs — with the next-level power of Senstar . Ask your local retailer or visit Valent.com/Senstar to learn more.
Scan Code to
Learn More
Products That Work, From People Who Care® | valent.com | 800-6-VALENT (682-5368) Always read and follow label instructions. Products That Work, From People Who Care and Senstar are registered trademarks of Valent U.S.A. LLC. ©2022 Valent U.S.A. LLC. All rights reserved.
January 18, 2023 Ag Alert 3
Powered by FlippingBook