Guest Blog

When it comes to global trade, many in the American agricultural community feel like they are being passed by as the rest of the world advances with new trade agreements. Given that agricultural exports are often one of the brightest points on our trade balance sheets, not helping us reach new markets or more fully developed existing ones feels like pulling your star quarterback out of the game when you’re still down.

I’ve always said, “If we can’t bring consumers to the farm, then let’s bring the farm to consumers.” As a dairy farmer and passionate agvocate, I particularly love to educate about agriculture through farm tours.

If you chase two rabbits … you will not catch either one.

—Russian proverb

Wouldn’t it be nice to feel like you’re only chasing two rabbits? If you’re like me, it feels like you’re chasing a dozen or more, and not catching any. It’s frustrating, makes me grumpy, and it’s hard to stay motivated.

When I think about the people involved in ag, one word describes them all: passionate. Farmers are one of the most passionate groups of people you will ever meet, but sometimes our passion can be a liability. The most recent example is a certain Super Bowl commercial depicting dairy in a less than positive way.

Mexico imports nearly a quarter of the U.S. dairy industry’s exports annually. It’s a critical $1.4 billion marketplace. And it’s one that President Trump continues to risk damaging permanently – and unnecessarily.

Since the dawn of time, no food has been upheld as greatly as milk – until now. A recent collaboration between EAT Foundation and The Lancet (EAT-Lancet) produced a report on sustainable diets, which wants people to cut animal-sourced foods like milk and meat from their diets and instead fill their plates with more fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains in order to be healthier and reduce their environmental impact.