Ag secretary's visit opened a line of communication

 

 

Commissioner Richie Farmer

 

I had the honor of meeting U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 27 at Anderson Circle Farm. His appearance – the fourth in a series of rural forums throughout the nation – was a rare and welcome opportunity for Kentucky farmers to meet the leading agricultural official in the land and tell him what was on their minds.

 

While Secretary Vilsack was in the state, I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with him and talk to him about some of the issues that are most important to Kentucky farmers. I was pleased to be in a position to speak up for our agricultural industry. It is impossible to know what will come of our lengthy conversation, especially with today’s economic realities. But I felt that I was able to open a line of communication, and that can only help as we look for ways to strengthen Kentucky agriculture.

 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: It will take every aspect of the agriculture industry, working together, to position Kentucky and American agriculture for a prosperous 21st century. No one has a monopoly on good ideas, and perhaps some good old Kentucky common sense can be brought to bear on the challenges facing American agriculture. I will do everything I can to make that happen.