We are right in the middle of a growing season, and countless farmers and ranchers throughout our state are busy with the work of producing food in our state. Despite the normal challenges that come with it, I’m sure there have been successes as well. At the same time, it can be hard to go about our day without some idea of the headlines circling around us – or sometimes at us! There has definitely been more chatter about our food and how it comes to the tables of individuals and families throughout our country – and in fact the world.

It can be easy to get down if we only focus on negative or out-of-context information. But we can also take this as an opportunity to engage with our neighbors and consumers in our communities as well as online. There is no one better to help share the news related to the ‘Miracle of Agriculture’ than a farmer.


Keeping Our Families and Crops Healthy

The Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, platform is generating a lot of interest in how our food is produced. Farmers and ranchers welcome a healthy discussion—we always have. I think we can all agree on the importance of promoting good health for our families and our nation. A commitment to health is a great thing to do, and healthy meals start with healthy farms.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall recently reminded us how important it is to understand the long-term implications of some ideas being promoted lately.

“Any discussion around agriculture must first be grounded in sound science if we are going to ensure the affordability, security, and sustainability of nutritious food for everyone,” Duvall said. “Our long history of science-based standards has served us well in navigating a sea of new ideas…[especially] when it comes to pesticides. That’s why farmers are confident that they can safely use these products on their farms. And keep in mind, many farmers also live with their families on that same land where they are using pesticides. Farmers take our jobs seriously, and we take the health and safety of our families and yours seriously too.”


Celebrating Local Agriculture

While working on critical issues, it’s also important to take time to unwind and spend time with your loved ones and neighbors, which is one of the things I love about the summer. What is your local celebration? Whether it is Peach Days in Washington County, Melon Days in Emery County, Trout & Berry Days in my own Cache County, or the countless other events taking place over the summer, these celebrations are fun ways to get together and often center around food. 

Another agricultural heritage also starts in the summer, the County Fairs taking place around the state. In addition to the rides, concerts, and Blue Ribbons to be handed out, many County Farm Bureaus will be showcasing the great things taking place in agriculture in the county and promoting the value of being a Farm Bureau member. I hope you take the opportunity to do some celebrating, amidst the hard work that remains to be done.

And there is a lot to celebrate in agriculture. Farmers and ranchers continue to produce an amazing harvest of local food for Utah’s residents. Thank you for what you do! The Utah Farm Bureau continues to do what we do best – advocating for our state’s farmers & ranchers. We’ll continue to do research on issues of importance throughout the summer and involve many of you in the process of refining policy proposals, culminating with our County policy meetings in the fall. We hope to see you at these meetings.