By Scout Nelson
As harvest time arrives in South Dakota, De Smet farmer Rob Lee finds himself delayed in the fields due to an important opportunity: a visit to the White House. “It was the worst timing, but when you have the opportunity to sit in a room and meet with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture – in the White House – you don’t say no,” Lee shared. He farms with his wife, Darcie, and their three children: Everett, Rosie, and Esme.
On October 8, Lee was among three young South Dakota agriculture producers invited to discuss key issues with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and other USDA officials during the Farmers and Ranchers in Action event. Joining him were Lance Perrion, a crop and cattle producer from Ipswich, and Jason Latham, a Harding County rancher.
The meeting provided an intimate setting, with only 75 producers present, fostering open and honest discussions. “You could tell they were invested in the conversation because they took their own notes. And if they didn’t understand something we were talking about, they asked follow-up questions,” Latham noted. This interaction allowed producers to voice their concerns directly to decision-makers.
Consolidation in the agricultural sector was a prominent topic. Latham expressed interest in Vilsack's insights regarding the USDA and Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into meat packer monopolies. “I was happy to learn about the steps they are taking to more actively enforce existing laws addressing monopolies,” he stated.
Perrion highlighted challenges related to genetically modified organism (GMO) seeds. He explained that the corporations owning patents on RoundUp-resistant seeds have not released the technology, leading to high seed costs and a lack of new weed control methods. “As farmers we are stuck,” Perrion remarked.
Despite being during harvest, both Lee and Perrion valued the chance to engage with key decision-makers. “Building relationships is how we get change for the better,” Perrion emphasized.
Lee compared this visit to past USDA meetings, expressing optimism about the current Administration's willingness to address vital agricultural issues. “I appreciate their willingness to work with us on issues important to our future,” he said.
As family farmers, they are committed to building a sustainable and hopeful future for their children in agriculture.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-alotofpeople
Categories: South Dakota, General