THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®
Your future starts now. Working together, we can create a financial plan and investment strategy for your future so you can achieve your dreams tomorrow while you enjoy life as it comes. Contact your Farm Bureau agent or advisor to get started.
Malting a Mark
One farm family’s journey to open the state’s first malting facility
AFBF’s Presidential Candidate Questionnaire
10 Days at the NM State Fair Introducing NMSU’s NM-FARM Program
NMF&LB staff and members greet fair goers
Columns
NMF&LB President
AFBF President
NMF&LB CEO
NMAITC
Educating beyond the Classroom “AG”vocates are Vital News from the Foundation
Program improves financial benchmarking for farmers
On the Cover: Ryan Schwebach, along with wife, Shannon, and sons Wylie, Aiden, and Oliver, opened New Mexico’s first malting facility near McIntosh, NM, earlier this year. Other 4 10
NMF&LB Annual Meeting Agenda & Registration
NMF&LB President’s Column
From the President
By Larry Reagan
Opportunities for All at NMF&LB Annual Meeting
It’s that time of year. Annual Meeting scheduled for November 21-22 is going to be here before you know it. This is a great time to spend with other farmers and ranchers from around our great state, fellowship, hear some awesome speakers, and learn new ideas from industry leaders. Highlights for this year’s Annual Meeting include and 2025 legislative preview, training from NM Agriculture in the Classroom, and much more. Our YF&R program will soon be seeking volunteers to help put on their youth discussion meet competition scheduled for November 20th at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque. Dr. Frannie Miller will also be hosting a workshop and demonstration in the afternoon of November 20th for NMSU’s New Mexico-FARM program. You can read more about the program in Dr. Miller’s guest column on page 15. I want to encourage you all to attend and take advantage of these great resources. You can find a
Reagan cont. on page 16
AFBF President’s Column
The Zipline
By Zippy Duvall
The Farm Bureau Family: Who We Are and What We Do
Who We Are
When someone says “Farm Bureau,” what comes to mind first for you? Do you think back to your first Farm Bureau meeting, remember an event your county Farm Bureau put on, or maybe you’re reminded of all the friends you have made in this organization? It can be hard to put into just a few words all that Farm Bureau means to our family, our farms and our communities, but sharing our story and inviting others to experience all that Farm Bureau has to offer is critical to the success of our great organization.
What exactly is Farm Bureau? Have you ever gotten that question? At its heart, Farm Bureau is the trusted Voice of Agriculture and the leading grassroots membership organization advocating for all farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Bureau welcomes and
Duvall cont. on page 16
NMF&LB CEO’s Column
Field Notes
Facing the Hard Times Together
By Elizabeth Foster
Fall is my favorite time of year, leaves change, pumpkins are everywhere, and the temperatures begin to cool down. For many of our farmers and ranchers, this is a busy season - picking cotton or chiles, shipping cattle, planning for next year. We tend to take this time of year to reflect on what we are thankful for as a person, family or nation. The next few months are full of uncertainty with the looming election, the need for a Farm Bill, wildfires, hurricanes and union disputes. All of this has the potential to impact our daily lives. Our farmers and ranchers operate in a worldwide market. A labor dispute that shuts down a port on the East Coast can have impacts for our local farmers because their products may not leave the docks or desperately needed supplies and parts may also be sitting on the dock instead of making their way to the local store. Hurricane Helene’s destruction on the East Coast will cause increased prices in
Foster cont. on page 17
Malting a Mark
One farm family’s journey to open the state’s first malting facility
If necessity is the mother of invention, New Mexico beer drinkers can raise a glass to necessity and the determination of one central New Mexico farmer who earlier this year opened New Mexico’s first malting facility. The declining dairy industry and falling water table were a few of the reasons multigenerational farmer Ryan Schwebach and his family decided to take a risk on opening Schwebach Malz, he said.
“I was looking for crops that would fit that need. Small grains is less labor and less water, but you can’t make money,” Schwebach said. “I was looking for how to increase money on it. You can grind flour but that didn’t sound appealing to me. I like to drink beer so this fit.”
Schwebach credits David Lucero with kickstarting this journey in 2018. New Mexico has incredibly talented brewers, but beyond talent the only thing New Mexico contributed to the craft beer process at that point was the water, which is scarce to begin with, Schwebach said. Lucero helped spearhead a study on the feasibility of growing and malting New Mexico grown barley and rounded up funds and farmers to try it out, Schwebach said. They sent the barley to Wyoming to be malted
and then sent the malt to New Mexico brewers who were willing to work with them, Schwebach said.
“We learned they were able to make good beer out of it because they were good brewers, but they had to work hard for it,” said Schwebach. “The malt was unacceptable so that is when I had a real eye opener that to make this work I had to bring it in house to keep it here and keep it fully local.”
Malting is an in-between step that turns cereal grain, barley in the case of the Schwebachs, into malt that is then used in the brewing process to eventually produce beer. The multi-step process is designed to start germination in the seed and then stop it once the enzymes that break down starches and turn them into sugar are maximized. The process is not that different from farming, Schwebach said.
“Soil is so forgiving compared to what we are trying to do because two degrees or three hours makes a difference,” said Schwebach. “Everyone talks about perfect emergence in a field and seeing that tabletop. That is what we are trying to do. In this environment, that same variance in germination can get you a product you have to throw away.”
Shannon Schwebach checks the seed’s acrospire and rootlet growth to measure the progress of germination.
Schwebach was ready to invest in new malting equipment when COVID hit. He continued to grow barley and send it to Wyoming to be malted until he bought the equipment in 2023, Schwebach said.
“I couldn’t let it go,” said Schwebach. “There were just too many pieces of the puzzle that fit.”
The Schwebachs are still in the development process, focusing on learning the equipment, working with the barley they have grown to this point, and conducting trial runs to ensure they do not produce an inferior product and can provide the type of consistency craft brewers require. When they started malting at the beginning of 2024, they were using grain from previous years. Their 2024 crop that was planted in the spring and harvested in late July will provide the grain needed to malt throughout the year, Schewbach said.
In total, the malting process can take about seven days. The family starts with about 6,000 pounds of grain for each batch and have about 2,500 pounds of finished malt at the end. They then sell the malt in 50-pound bags to the brewers, Schwebach said. Today they work with multiple craft brewers including Beer Creek, Turtle Mountain, Sunday Service, Bombs Away, and others, Schwebach said.
“At the end of the day, what we can offer is being local and the freshness aspect,” said Schwebach. “Brewers are using stuff
that is six to eight months old. We also have the ability to fine tune, for these smaller guys especially, exactly what they want.”
The next steps for Schwebach Malz are to get the facility at max capacity and perfect their process, Schwebach said. They also plan to host on-site visits for prospective customers, Schwebach said.
“When we bring brewers out here, what they really like to see is the farm and open space,” said Schwebach. “They like to get their fingers in the dirt. It is stuff we take for granted but they think it is the coolest thing in the world.”
The Schwebach family is continuing to grow forage and corn silage for the dairies, but the new venture is an encouraging addition to their business. For those interested in diversifying their farms, Schwebach encourages others to know why they want to venture out and take advantage of the resources and education available through organizations such as the New Mexico Brewers Guild and New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau.
NMF&LB sends a hearty congratulations to Wylie Schwebach, son of Ryan and Shannon, for being named a finalist for the National FFA American Star in Agricultural Placement. The winner will be announced at the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo scheduled for October 23-26 in Indianapolis.
Top: Cleaned barley sits in the steep tank for 36-48 hours. Bottom: The final product has a similar taste and crunch to the hearty cereal you might eat for breakfast. Right: Temperature and time are manipulated to produce malts for different types of beer.
1: NMF&LB field staff members Autumn Robertson, Katie Adams, and Logan Stoltz at the NMF&LB space 2: NMAITC Director Traci Curry and NMF&LB Foundation board members Patty Waid and Neil Fuller lead attendees through the activity 3: Marissa Cereceres leads NMF&LB President Larry Reagan through the activity. 4: NMF&LB state board member Tina Wilson chats with visitors. 5: NMF&LB President Larry Reagan leaves a thank you note to farmers.
6: NMF&LB members and volunteers gather outside the NMF&LB space 7: NMF&LB Foundation board members Neil Fuller and Patty Waid with NMAITC staff Shae Devers (middle). 8: NMF&LB WLP members volunteered to greet visitors. 9: NMF&LB members traveled to lend a helping hand throughout the fair. Thank you David Lucero (left) and Kim Miller (not pictured)! 10: NMAITC staff Britney Lardner and Neil Fuller stuffing material bags at the fair.
7 8 9 10
L to R: Don & Cheryl Hartman, Jim & Earlene Ellett, Sue Deerman, Travis Harris, Donald Martinez, Carlina Harris, Marissa Cereceres, and Katelin Spradley.
AMERICAN AGCREDIT AWARDS $15,000 GRANT TO NEW MEXICO AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM
Farm Credit lender
American AgCredit selected New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom as a recipient for Rural Roots Endowment Grant
American AgCredit has awarded grants to 23 New Mexico agriculture-related organizations totaling $204,000. New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom is the recipient of a $15,000 grant through the American AgCredit Rural Roots Endowment grant program.
“This funding from the American AgCredit Rural Roots Endowment will allow us to fund more agricultural literacy classroom presentations, educator workshops, and teacher trainings,” said Elizabeth Foster, CEO of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and secretary/treasurer of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation. “We are grateful that New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom and the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation was selected to receive this award.”
American AgCredit designed the Rural Roots Endowment to provide grants and direct funds to New Mexico agricultural organizations that support the next generation of farmers and ranchers. “The Rural Roots Endowment is focused on the future - a commitment to supporting farmers, ranchers, and our neighbors who live and work in rural America,” said Dr. Terra V. Winter, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico - who is partnering with American AgCredit to manage the endowment. “It will support New Mexico agriculture’s success well into the future.”
Last year, American AgCredit invested nearly $1.4 million in donations, sponsorships, scholarships, volunteer hours and special programs focused on young and beginning farmers and feeding people. To learn more about how local communities benefit from American AgCredit’s investments, visit https://www.agloan.com/.
About American AgCredit
American AgCredit was chartered in 1916 as part of the nationwide Farm Credit System and is the nation’s fifth-largest Farm Credit association. American AgCredit specializes in providing financial services to agricultural and rural customers in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, and Oklahoma, and serves capital market customers throughout the United States.
American AgCredit’s financial services include production and mortgage financing, equipment and vehicle leasing, crop and life insurance, lines of credit, and the Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Program. American AgCredit also provides interest-free loans for qualifying 4-H, FFA and AgYouth programs, and college scholarships to students interested in agriculture.
Educating Beyond the Classroom
By Shae Devers
NMAITC has made connections with NRCS Range Land Specialist, Jim Armendariz, through the NM Grow Project Grant that his wife, Lia Armendariz, received in 2023. We invited them to share their experience with the project at the Albuquerque training this year.
This was when the connection for incorporating NMAITC with NRCS staff started. Jim sent an email to all his staff about our program, and Jason Martin reached out wanting a presentation for all the new employees. Historically, all NRCS employees had a background in agriculture, and unfortunately, now that only 2% of people are producers, most new employees don’t have a background in agriculture.
Jim had expressed to us that all new employees need to see our presentation so that they can understand why agriculture is so important. I got invited to do a presentation at the NRCS Regional Meeting in Taos on August 21st to do a presentation on the value of soil and how agriculture relates to everyone. There were 27 new employees present, and even the few that had an agricultural background, learned something. Through this connection, we were able to teach adults that will be working directly with producers, the value of agriculture.
INCREASING SUPPORT!
Coterra Energy Doubles Support for New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom
Coterra Energy has doubled its support for New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC) and is supporting NMAITC at $10,000 in 2024 Coterra Energy’s support will help NMAITC reach more Pre-K-12th grade New Mexico classroom teachers and their students with crucial agricultural and natural resource literacy instruction
"We extend our special thanks to Coterra Energy for their commitment to New Mexico agriculture,” said Elizabeth Foster, CEO of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and secretary/treasurer of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation “The doubling of their support this year will allow us to increase our impact in New Mexico classrooms across our state.”
“Coterra is deeply committed to four key pillars: agriculture, education, veterans and first responders, and the communities where we live and work. NMAITC is a powerful example of how these pillars intersect, and we are honored to support their vital work,” said Becca Myers, External Affairs Specialist at Coterra. “As a member of the NMFLB Foundation Board of Directors, I have the privilege of seeing the impact of NMAITC’s programs up close. Their dedication and impact continue to inspire me. It’s truly an honor to advocate for agriculture education in New Mexico and across the nation ”
Coterra Energy is a premier, diversified energy company. We have some of the best oil and natural gas assets in the country. We embrace innovation, technology and data in the communities where we operate. Our approach is centered on a dedicated, consistent effort toward reducing our footprint. Our operations are primarily concentrated in three operating areas: the Permian Basin in west Texas and southern New Mexico, the Marcellus Shale in northeast Pennsylvania and the Anadarko Basin in the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma. Website: https://www.coterra.com/
Staked Plains Roundup in Hobbs, Ethan Wright
Members in Action
are VITAL “AG”vocates
By Britney Lardner
New Mexico Ag in the Classroom would NOT be the program it is without the continued support and passion of our “AG”mazing volunteers. As Traci, Shae, and I travel around the state to present and educate, many caring souls join us along the way to claim the wonderful title “AG”vocate.
Thank you, all, for your hard work, the time dedicated to supporting our program, and getting NMAITC into your community and schools.
VOLUNTEERS: (April to September)
Curry Co. F&LB: Bailey & Zane Slater, & William VanHuss
Roosevelt Co. F&LB: Deveri & Avalon Mathews
Chavez Co. F&LB: Melinda Jackson
Rio Arriba Co. F&LB: Donald Martinez & Leonard Valerio
Eddy Co. F&LB: Craig Ogden
San Juan Co. F&LB: Gary Hathorn & Ron Baca
Otero Co. F&LB: Jim & Earlene Ellet
Fayth Franzoy-Gillespie: Tactica Strategies
Alisha Day: Tularosa MS FFA Advisor
Sid Gordon: Otero Co. Extension
Brittany Sonntag: Bernalillo Co. Extension
Beverly Allen: Chevron Permian
Jim & Lia Armendariz: NRCS
Bonnie Hopkins-Byers: San Juan Co. Extension
NMFLB Foundation Board Members: Neil Fuller & Patty Waid
If you are interested in getting involved in your county by helping us get connected to a local school or start volunteering your time by joining us on an upcoming presentation.
For a complete list of sponsors visit: https://newmexico.agclassroom.org/about/donate/.
Introducing NMSU’s New Mexico-FARM Program
By Frannie Miller and Madhav Regmi, NMSU Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Department
This year NMSU Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Department is celebrating our 100th year anniversary. During the time we have existed as a department, U.S. corn yields have increased more than 6-fold, today’s Holstein cow gives 5 times more milk, and comparisons to old cattle drive photos show dramatic changes in the quality of beef calves.
The culture of comparing agricultural output, which we celebrate every year at the county fair, has helped drive the past century’s changes in yield. Farmers visit about how seed varieties performed, or how their yields compare to their neighbors. Ranchers compare weaning weights, asking each other, “How much rain did you get?” or “How do you like the bulls you bought last year?” We ask these comparison questions because the information gained helps us learn. We are building on this tradition with a new program at NMSU. The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Management (NM-FARM) program will increase the financial data available to farmers and ranchers for benchmarking their financial progress. We are working with interested farmers and ranchers to build a financial benchmarking database for New Mexico by incorporating New Mexico farm and ranch data into the existing Farm Financial Database, or “FINBIN” available at https://finbin.umn.edu/.
Benchmarking simply provides additional data to allow farmers and ranchers to compare performance, just as they do with crops and cattle. Farmers and ranchers can use the FINBIN database to get a better sense of where expenses might be too high, or to identify “points of pride” where they are setting the standard for an area or production type. FINBIN’s financial comparisons enable farmers to set realistic financial goals and identify areas for improvement. It is already possible to begin using the database, but the unique challenges New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers face highlight the need for New Mexico data. Without adequate participation from New Mexican agriculturalists, benchmark comparisons will not accurately reflect the difficulty of growing food and fiber in the Land of Enchantment.
While looking across the fence and seeing how our neighbor’s calves look is common, comparing financial data raises more questions about privacy and an understandable hesitation. Accordingly, we created a first-in-the-nation approach allowing farmers to submit data through their accountant
with complete anonymity. Accountants can, with permission, submit on behalf of a client using only a client number as identification. Data in the FINBIN database requires a threshold number of producers before the database becomes public, with privacy further protected through USDA standards for aggregation and disclosure.
To accurately reflect agricultural production in this state, we need participation from the different types of farmers and ranchers, operating from around the state. This necessitated creating multiple different paths for farmers and ranchers to work with the NM-FARM program. Many farmers don’t work with accountants, but still want the ability to access help with financial sustainability. A team of NMSU faculty and extension personnel now offers the NM-FARM Program to local producers. Whether you’re a pen-and-paper person or utilize spreadsheets and software, we can assist in developing, recording, and benchmarking your financial records for this program.
The grant is also supporting the expansion of “Annie’s Project,” a farm education-program with a financial-education emphasis targeted at women. Whether it be through Annie’s Project, or through stand alone NM-FARM trainings, the program is focused primarily on empowering farmers to utilize their own data more effectively. Practical data usage is prioritized over data submission. If you are interested in participating, whether through an accountant, through work with our team, or interested in creating a local “Annie’s Project,” more information is available on the NM-Farm program website at https://nmfarm.nmsu.edu/index.html
Why participate in the program?
During the initial phase, a grant from USDA-NIFA’s Farm Business Management and Benchmarking program covers program costs. In other states, this fee-based program can cost thousands, which farmers pay because of the value of the financial analysis. As financial conditions tighten, tools to help understand revenue streams and carefully manage costs become even more valuable. We are excited about working with producers to make this a robust and data-rich tool. If you are interested, please join us for an workshop/demonstration at the NMFLB Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 20th, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque.
Reagan from page 4
tentative agenda and link to registration in this issue.
It is also that time of year when we adopt policies to guide our organization for the upcoming year in Santa Fe and Washington, D.C. We are a grassroots organization. That means all our policies begin with individuals at the county level. We’ve already had our resolutions committee meeting, but we’ll accept resolutions right up to the start of the House of Delegates session at Annual Meeting. If you have an issue that needs to be addressed, write a resolution and submit it. If it passes at the state level and has national interest, we will submit it to the AFBF delegate session. Last year New Mexico sent 3 resolutions to AFBF and all three passed without opposition. This is your opportunity to make a difference. Annual meeting is also
when bylaws changes are considered. If you wish to propose a bylaws change, they have to be available to all counties at least 10 days before the Annual Meeting. Also, they are not amendable so the exact wording has to be submitted. This is your chance to influence the direction NMFLB will take for the rest of next year. Don’t take it for granted.
Duvall from page 4
includes all types of farmers and serves all types of farms in 50 states and Puerto Rico for the benefit of families everywhere. Our collective voice is the reason Farm Bureau can advocate effectively, enrich our communities and ensure we provide a safe and abundant food supply. And as a grassroots organization, starting at the local level, the more people we invite to join us, the stronger our voice and our organization become.
This past spring, we conducted a survey that revealed an impressive statistic, 68% of the general public trusts the Farm Bureau brand. Not only that, but three-fourths of participants also said that Farm Bureau has had a positive impact on their community. That’s an incredible achievement and reflects the hard work and dedication of our members – whether it’s through our advocacy efforts, community service or simply being there for our neighbors when they need us.
However, while these numbers did show a high level of trust, the survey also revealed that there is a sizable number of folks who know the Farm Bureau name, but not much else about us, and that makes them less inclined to get involved. That’s where each of us can make a difference, by increasing the familiarity of Farm Bureau and sharing with our communities who we are and what we do for farmers and rural America.
The Power of Sharing Our Story
I often say that one of our biggest strengths is sharing our story and the same goes for showing people how Farm Bureau is the right place for them. These days, especially with our younger generations, people want to align themselves with organizations that match their personal values and know they can have a role in making a difference. That’s where each of us can make a difference. Telling someone about Farm Bureau doesn’t require a sales pitch or formal invitation, either. Many times, it’s just about telling your personal story and helping someone else see themselves in our organization. It can be as simple as sharing about how Farm Bureau has helped you navigate through an issue, the connections you made at an event or even the leadership skills you’ve gained through our programs.
By sharing what Farm Bureau means to you personally, you can help someone to see how their values align with our mission.
What We Do
The next step of sharing what we do is the easy part, and your local, state and American Farm Bureau have you covered. At every level, Farm Bureau’s strength is in bringing members together to speak with a united voice, support one another and give back to our communities. If you are looking for more ideas to share about Farm Bureau, you can head over to our Who We Are and What We Do pages, to learn more about what we focus on as an organization and what’s available to our members. Who knows, you may even find the next step in your own personal Farm Bureau journey.
I encourage you to check in with your local and state Farm Bureaus about what resources or opportunities are available to learn more about who we are, what we do, why we do it, and who we serve. We are so appreciative of the growing collaboration with our state and local Farm Bureaus on these efforts and I am excited to see how this new approach will invite more folks into our Farm Bureau family.
Why We Do It
The final piece of sharing the Farm Bureau story is why we do it. We all depend on the success of American agriculture, and Farm Bureau stands with farmers and ranchers as we work together to keep our nation’s food, fiber and renewable fuel supply safe, sustainable and secure. It’s a mission that isn’t just meeting today’s challenges, but one that is working to support agriculture for generations to come. The decisions we make, the policies we advocate for and the members we welcome into our organization all help shape that future.
At the end of the day, Farm Bureau’s strength lies in our membership. Every engagement and experience someone has with us helps build their understanding of how the Farm Bureau family is here to support them and their communities. Let’s continue inviting others to join along by sharing who we are, what we do and why we do it.
Foster from page 4
cotton-based items, peanut products and fruits and meat at the market. Drought in the West causes tighter markets for livestock which can result in higher prices for beef at the store. We are facing a time almost as bad as the early 80s when agriculture was dealing with inflation and high input costs. In the last two years, farmers have seen a drop in their income by 23%, almost a quarter of the income they need to survive. All these issues could cause one to scratch their head and wonder why we still grow the world’s food and supplies. Farmers and ranchers do because we have organizations like ourselves, the NM Cattle Growers, NM Dairy Producers, and so on that work on behalf of our agricultural community. New Mexico
agriculture is a resilient industry. We will keep pushing forward as long as we can, and New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau will continue to work to strengthen and serve agriculture and to enrich the lives of all New Mexicans.
This year when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner and bless the food, please add the farmers and ranchers to that blessing.
Be the trendsetter, not the follower. Step up to leadership and apply to the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership Program.
nmal@nmsu.edu
Mycorrhizal fungi are far more important than most farmers have imagined.
The mycorrhizal fungi membrane
With suitable conditions, mycorrhizal fungi will form a membrane between the plant and soil. This membrane gives the plant the ability to select the nutrients it takes up, plus the ability to leave behind or even exclude toxic ions like aluminum, cadmium and lead.
The surface area of this fungal membrane can become enormous, developing as much as 500 miles of fungal hyphae in a single cubic foot of soil. The more complex it becomes, the greater the health and vitality of the plant.
When one uses herbicides, pesticides, nematicides or fungicides, when one applies excessive fertilizer and does excessive soil cultivation, it kills off helpful fungi. In reality, most farm land doesn’t contain very much mycorrhizae. In their absence, plants must rely exclusively on their roots to take up nutrients. This isn’t good, because most plants were designed to need the help of fungi.
A plant’s root system has a 1,000th the surface area of a fungi membrane. Without the help of fungi, nutrient uptake sometimes decreases by 70% or more. We need greater nutrient uptake in our food to avoid chronic, diet-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease and immunological diseases.
Hydroponically functioning soil
Soils are often toxic, and most soils are out of balance. Without a mycorr-
hizal fungi membrane, plant roots are left to function hydroponically. They simply suck up water from the soil with whatever soluble anions are present in the solution, like nitrates, sulfates and potassium. They also suck up toxic ions like aluminum, cadmium, and lead.
Without the help of the mycorrhizae membrane, plants are only capable of taking up very low levels of essential positively charged cations. This totally compromises the nutritional integrity of what is grown. Nutrient-deficient plants are much more prone to disease and insect attack.
MycorrPlus to the rescue!
MycorrPlus helps to re-create conditions in the soil where mycorrhizae can thrive. Together with good farming practices, MycorrPlus can help to restore the mycorrhizae membrane!
As conditions in the soil improve, plants acquire the ability to produce a ton of sugar, which they can then secrete through their roots to feed micro-organisms in the soil. These
organisms, in turn, make an abundant supply of nutrients available to the plant.
You can request the AG-USA info. packet for more simple strategies to further increase mycorrhizae growth.
A symbiotic relationship God created 90% of plants to function in relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. Grass, alfalfa and other plants certainly do need mycorrhizal fungi, with each being dependent on the other. Let’s get this synergistic relationship working again!
The mycorrhizae membrane is very important to your farm. One of our goals at AG-USA is to help farmers cooperate with nature by helping to establish a mycorrhizal fungi membrane in their soil. Our passion is the healing of the land.
Why not get some MycorrPlus and get the process started?
Conquer Nature by Cooperating with it!
Reduces the need for LIME and other fertilizers.
MycorrPlus is a liquid bio-stimulant that helps remove compaction by highly structuring the soil. It creates an “aerobic net” in the soil that retains nutrients and moisture. It contains concentrated sea minerals, 4 strains mycorrhizal fungi, 20 strains of aerobic bacteria, fish, kelp, humic acids and molasses. AG-USA, LLC, PO Box 73019, Newnan, GA 30271 info@ag-usa.net Call toll free - 888-588-3139 Mon. - Sat. from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. and request a free information packet, or visit: www.AG-USA.net Organic? Use MycorrPlus-O.
PremiumHayConditioner
With AG-USA HayMax, you’ll have the most beautiful green alfalfa hay of the highest quality, and you will be able to keep all the leaves. Nutrients are in the leaves, so why lose them in the field?
And HayMax is the best for all grass hay too. Whatever you’re baling, AG-USA will give you the best choice for the best results with HayMax!
HayMax helps to provide faster removal. You can keep your hay from being rained on.
� Our conditioner will not wick off or evaporate on hot days like others do.
� Unlike other competitors on the market, our HayMax does not contain corrosive propionic acid.
� HayMax helps reduce mold and dusting while improving the keepability of higher moisture hay.
AG-USA HayMax is made with high-quality grade non-corrosive acid to protect your equipment against corrosion. The HayMax exclusive formula uses a different chemical process than other hay conditioners. Because of this perfected formulation, you can bale with moisture as high as 25% and have no problems or regrets!
Your preserved hay will also give better nutrition to the cattle, which in turn gives better beef and milk quality.
Elimination of field losses means more hay to sell or feed. And healthier cattle sell better. Increase your profits with HayMax! It only costs $90 for a 5-gallon bucket and a bucket treats 8 tons.
Not sure if your AG-USA dealer carries HayMax? Please ask them if they could get some for you. Spray it on the windrow, use an applicator on your baler or spray right before raking. Call or write today for a free HayMax info. packet. Why not try it on your last cutting this year and see what wonderful hay you can produce with HayMax!
Presidential Candidate Questionnaire
For more than 40 years, Farm Bureau has asked every presidential candidate to provide responses to issues likely to impact and affect farmers and ranchers and rural communities in the next 4 years. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have provided their answers. The responses have been unedited and we are sharing the responses so you can read directly from the candidates on their policy positions and direction for our country.
Please note that the Harris-Walz campaign responded to American Farm Bureau’s questionnaire in the form of a letter. Each response in the following pages is an unedited excerpt of the letter. You can click here to read the full Harris-Walz letter.
Food System and Farmer Resiliency
Whether from the COVID-19 pandemic or geopolitical events across the globe, many have come to the realization that the role American agriculture plays is not just one that keeps domestic grocers stocked, but provides the food, fuel and fiber that feeds the world. American agriculture is a key element of national security and global food security. However, farmers can expect the largest recorded year-to-year dollar drop in net farm income in 2024. Income is estimated to be nearly $40 billion lower compared to 2023, down more than 25% due to lower prices paid to farmers for crops and livestock, and increased costs for supplies. As president, what investments and/or policies would you support to ensure the resiliency of our food system and the American farmers who make it work?
Kamala Harris (D)
As Vice President, Kamala Harris has invested in rural America so future generations can keep farming and rural Americans can find opportunities right in their hometown. Under her and President Biden’s leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration has invested billions of dollars in federal resources to ignite long-term economic growth in rural communities that have long been left behind, helping rural communities create jobs, build infrastructure, and support economic stability on their own terms. And when they’re elected, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will never stop fighting to create an economy where rural Americans can not just get by, but get ahead. They are committed to building an Opportunity Economy where everyone can compete and have a real chance to succeed, and where everyone, regardless of who they are or where they start, has an opportunity to build wealth for themselves and their children.
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will also promote competition in agriculture markets to ensure farmers and ranchers are treated fairly. As part of the lowering costs agenda she laid out last month, Vice President Harris made clear that she will direct her Administration to crack down on unfair mergers and acquisitions involving big food corporations to help create a level playing field for competition in which all farmers and ranchers thrive and consumers have more choices and lower prices. Her plan will also support family farmers, ranchers, and other small businesses, and strengthen competition in the agricultural supply chain.
Donald Trump (R)
I am proud to be the most pro-Farmer president ever. As president, I did more for American Agriculture than any administration in history, and protected farmers from unfair foreign competition. To bring economic relief to farmers, I commit to lowering your energy bills by half in the first year. Kamala-Biden have embraced the high-cost energy policies of “net zero” that have already raised electricity rates by 30% nationwide (and projected to go much higher) and the cost of gasoline and diesel by 50-100% over the last three and one half years, all of which is dramatically raising costs of fertilizer and other key farming supplies and lowering farm incomes. The Kamala-Biden “net zero” lunacy is the same economically destructive high-cost energy policy that is already ravaging European farm communities. We must avoid the fate of United Kingdom and Germany, two countries that are experiencing shrinking economies as a result of this misguided high-cost energy agenda. I will reverse the Kamala-Biden inflation nightmare, bring down interest rates, and reverse every single Biden-Harris burdensome and costly regulation that is contributing to the increased cost of supplies. I will also use tariffs, tax cuts, and other incentives to bring critical supply chains back home to the USA, ensure national security and economic stability, and expand overseas markets for U.S. agricultural goods.
Reliable food supplies and stable prices are critical for the United States’ long-term prosperity and economic well-being. Programs in the farm bill, extended through fiscal year 2024, provide key safety net and risk management tools for farmers, as well as critical tools to help farmers implement resource-conserving practices on the farm. Sustained, effective and predictable policy through the farm bill is necessary to address the threats that farmers have faced historically and new threats we now face to provide a consistent food supply. This includes defending and strengthening crop insurance for risk management that is affordable and flexible for all producers. As president, how would you be a proponent for enhancing farm policy programs to bring certainty to farm and ranch families through crop insurance, improved risk management programs and support for beginning farmers and ranchers, while also bringing much-needed funding to agricultural research?
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will fight to defend programs that allow farmers and ranchers to prosper, while Trump and his allies are trying to defund those programs. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know how important crop insurance is to protect farmers from unforeseen changes in circumstances. As a Congressman, Governor Walz expanded veterans’ access to crop insurance, farm education, and job training, and led legislation to improve veterans’ access to mental health care. Trump, on the other hand, consistently proposed deep cuts to programs like these that are essential to farmers and ranchers—including coverage for changes in crop yields and price, as well as rural job training and workforce development—all to pay for his tax handouts to the wealthiest Americans. If he’s elected, his Project 2025 agenda will give more handouts to the super-wealthy, while making crop insurance and other necessities for family farmers even more expensive.
Patchwork Quilt of State Regulations
Donald Trump (R)
The American Farmer is essential to our economy and our way of life. We rely on our farmers, ranchers, and growers to ensure the safety and security of our food supply. As president, I signed a massive Farm Bill that improved agriculture programs and increased the amount of money that farmers can borrow. We will permanently end our reliance on China for all critical goods and strengthen domestic Buy American and Hire American policies.
As President I will support access and affordability to the risk management tools that were a part of the 2018 Farm Bill I signed into law. Improvements must be made to Reference Prices, Crop Insurance, Dairy Margin Coverage and more Specialty Crop Insurance. American agriculture is built on science, technology and innovation and we must stay ahead of China with our science investments.
Some states have adopted agriculture production standards that are already showing an adverse impact on price for consumers and availability of product. Left unaddressed, rules like California’s Proposition 12 will create a patchwork quilt of barriers or requirements that will make it increasingly difficult for American farmers to be able to sell their products across state lines. It creates a question about whether one state can set rules that citizens and businesses in another state must follow, clearly not the intent of the Constitution of the United States. Disparate state-by-state agriculture requirements create more complexity in the market, will lead to increased farm consolidation, and has already caused sharp prices increases at the grocery store for families in California. As president, what policies would you support to shore up the free flow of food and farm products between the states, to the benefit of all consumers and farm families?
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know that excessive red tape can sometimes prevent small businesses, including small farms and ranches from selling their goods. They also know that it can be difficult for small farmers and ranchers to identify and comply with unnecessarily burdensome regulatory requirements. If they are elected, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will fight to reduce barriers and make it easier for farmers, ranchers, and other small business owners across the country to earn a living and support a family off their hard work. The Biden-Harris Administration has pushed to improve and modernize the process of regulatory review, enhance public participation, and improve regulatory analysis. As president, Kamala Harris will work to ensure regulations are responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.
Donald Trump (R)
As you correctly note in the question, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution plainly states that Congress – not individual states – has the power to regulate commerce “among the several States.” For many years, this provision has been understood to block efforts by individual states to regulate interstate trade in ways that are discriminatory or burdensome. I will use all authority under the Constitution and U.S. law to stop efforts by California – or other states – that hurt American farmers in other states. I will also direct the Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture to actively monitor – and strongly oppose – any further efforts to limit the ability of American farmers to sell their products anywhere in this great country.
Kamala Harris (D)
Kamala Harris (D)
The United States has worked assertively over many different administrations to set the example for fair and open trade, for resolving trade disputes using sound, science-based principles and standards and for gaining access to new markets. As president, how would you be a proponent for expanding trade and pursuing remedies against nations and their leaders who use various barriers to unfairly shield their markets from competition?
Kamala Harris (D)
As Vice President, Kamala Harris has stood up to China’s unfair economic practices to protect Americans, including farmers and ranchers. As President, she will not tolerate unfair trade practices from China or any competitor that undermines American farmers and ranchers.
Donald Trump (R)
As president, I took historic action to pry open foreign markets and knocked down unjust barriers to American goods. I successfully negotiated and renegotiated more than 50 trade agreements to boost farm exports by billions of dollars, supporting millions of American jobs and our incredible Farmers. I ended the disaster known as NAFTA and replaced it with the USMCA. These gaping wounds were costing our country countless jobs and trillions of dollars in wealth. I would also note that under Biden-Harris policies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is projecting a record agricultural trade deficit of $32 billion for federal fiscal year 2024 (Oct. 2023 to September 2024). Given that our farmers are the best and most competitive in the world, this deficit plainly results from unfair trading practices abroad. I will fight those barriers with every tool at my disposal, and I will make sure that other countries understand the consequences of blocking our farm products. As part of my effort to knock down barriers to American Farm products, I will work to pass the Trump Reciprocal Trade Act and will prioritize American producers over foreign outsourcers.
When China targeted our farmers, I sent $28 billion relief payments to protect our farmers from Chinese abuses. I will always side with Farmers in America.
Tax Policy
Agriculture operates in a world of uncertainty. From unpredictable national situations to commodity and product market instabilities to fluctuating input prices, from natural disasters and damaging weather events to insect or disease outbreaks, running a farm or ranch business is challenging under the best of circumstances. The vast majority of farm and ranch operations are businesses that file their taxes as individuals and most make well under $400,000 annually. Many of the provisions of the soon expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act allow farm and ranch families to invest into their family business, so the next generation has a chance if they choose to take over the farm. Letting these provisions expire would raise taxes on the vast majority of farm and ranch families. Farmers and ranchers need a tax code that provides certainty and recognizes their unique financial challenges. As president, what provisions would you support to help farmers and ranchers remain on the land and producing food, fuel and fiber?
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have made clear that, under their plan, no American making less than $400,000 a year will pay more in taxes, and that includes most farmers and ranchers. They will also fight to make sure the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s $1.3 trillion giveaway to big corporations allowed them to consolidate power, move more jobs and production overseas, and undercut local small business growth, including in rural communities. Under Trump’s agenda, farms and ranches were told the only path to success was to get big or get out. As President, Kamala Harris will fight for a tax code that is more fair for everyone—including America’s hardworking farmers and ranchers—and doesn’t just benefit the most wealthy among us.
I will take immediate steps to defeat inflation, increase real farm incomes, and grow the agricultural economy by unleashing American energy, slashing wasteful government spending, and cutting burdensome regulation. To protect the pro-farmer tax cuts I delivered in 2017, including the elimination of the estate tax, or death tax, as well as the giant tax cut I gave to family farms that operate as pass-through entities, which produce more than 90 percent of agricultural products in the United States, I will also make permanent the provisions of the Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and pursue additional tax cuts.
Kamala Harris (D)
Donald Trump (R)
Farmers and ranchers need a reliable, skilled workforce. Farm work is challenging, often seasonal and transitory, and with fewer and fewer Americans growing up on the farm, it’s increasingly difficult to find American workers attracted to these kinds of jobs. Farm labor can’t all be replaced by machines, either. But the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is set at an unsustainable level, making it difficult for farmers to temporary workers when they are paid at a higher rate than a full-time employee. As president, what would you do to reform and resolve the critical labor shortage that many farmers and ranchers face each year? How would you address the issue of undocumented workers who are already working on farms across America, as well as the need for a reformed H-2A program that would help provide a long-term agricultural workforce?
Kamala Harris (D)
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know growers need enough workers to support our nation’s domestic food production, which is why they have supported an earned pathway to legalization and eventual citizenship for farm and other agricultural workers, in addition to strengthening the H-2A visa program—administered by both Republicans and Democrats for decades—which helps fill seasonal farm jobs with temporary foreign workers. The Biden-Harris Administration has overseen a nearly 50%increase in the H-2A program and strengthened it by making the application process more transparent, making visas more accessible to employers, and supporting employers who comply with the rules so they are not undercut by those who don’t. The Biden-Harris Administration also is investing $50 million to help improve the resiliency of the U.S. food supply chain by addressing agriculture labor challenges and protecting farm workers. Instead of reckless calls for the mass deportation of workers and families deeply rooted in our economy and communities, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz believe in tough, smart solutions to reform our broken immigration system. This means improving our legal immigration system to function better for our economy, farmers, and workers, and reform that includes both strong border security and an earned path to citizenship.
Donald Trump (R)
To be successful, it is not enough to invest in our economy and agriculture – we must invest in our people. Under a Trump Administration, we will grow more farm products in the USA and rebuild our country with American Hands. A Trump Administration will always put Farmers and American Workers first. I will prioritize merit-based immigration, ensuring those admitted to our country contribute to our economy and strengthen our country.
Sustainability and Climate
Using innovative farm equipment, better seeds, green energy and climate-smart practices, U.S. farmers and ranchers are producing more food, renewable fuel and fiber than ever before, while using less water, protecting against erosion and conserving more soil, avoiding nutrient loss, increasing wildlife habitat and improving biodiversity. New data from the Environmental Protection Agency found that while greenhouse gas emissions from all sources increased by 1.3 percent between 2021 and 2022, agricultural emissions dropped 1.8 percent -- the largest decrease of any economic sector. Less than 10% of total U.S. GHG emissions stem from agriculture. In fact, efficiency gains are so significant that U.S. agriculture would have needed nearly 100 million more acres in 1990 to match modern production levels. At the same time, farmers’ commitment to conservation is clear. Conservation efforts play an active role on roughly one-third of U.S. farmland. As president, how would you ensure that climate regulations do not hamper American productivity and competitiveness?
Kamala Harris (D)
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know that voluntary, collaborative partnerships with farmers are key to addressing the climate crisis. That’s why Vice President Harris fought tirelessly for the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a $20 billion investment to help the agricultural community adopt and expand conservation strategies through climate-smart agriculture—all while saving money, ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, and increasing productivity.
Donald Trump (R)
The American farmers are the Climate Champions of the world. With the voluntary, locally-led and incentive-based conservation tools I signed into law in 2018, they sequester far more greenhouse gases than what they emit while increasing their productivity. No one does it better. My support of our farmers provides food security, a stronger economy and a cleaner climate.
I pledge to terminate the Green New Deal, dismantle root and branch the lunatic Biden-Harris “net zero” policy of high cost energy that is a millstone around the future of the American economy, and restore American Energy Independence and American Energy Dominance so the United States will once again have the lowest cost of energy and electricity of any economy in the world, which will be a boon to American Agricultural and to economic growth in general. Innovation and economic growth will allow us to unleash the technologies and processes that make the environment better while reshoring production away from foreign polluters, and back to American soil. I renew my commitment to ensuring America has among the very cleanest air and cleanest water on the planet. My administration set the new global standard for environmental protections with unprecedented provisions in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Every day of my presidency, we will fight for a cleaner environment and a better quality of life for every one of our citizens.
Agriculture is a growing provider of renewable energy—contributing to America’s energy independence and revitalizing rural economies. Our national energy policy should be an all-of-the-above strategy and and include taking maximum advantage of all available domestic resources to achieve energy independence and a stable energy market, including support for tax provisions that incentivize the production of biofuels and domestically-produced energy. As president, would you support an all-of-the-above strategy that encourages the domestic production and use of all available forms of energy?
Kamala Harris (D)
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are committed to a future defined by both American energy security and independence, as well as a clean energy economy that creates good-paying jobs, fueled by the investments we are making here at home. Vice President Harris cast the deciding vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided nearly $10 billion for rural renewable energy infrastructure—and made the largest investment in rural electrification in nearly 90 years. This historic legislation also included more than $2 billion in investments for the Rural Energy for America program, which provides loans and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to build renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. The Inflation Reduction Act is also increasing domestic biofuels, boosting high-quality job opportunities across rural America and enlisting agriculture as a pivotal tool to fight climate change.
Regulatory Reform
Donald Trump (R)
Yes, a Trump Administration will increase domestic energy production across the board, streamline permitting, and end market-distorting restrictions on Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal. I will lower energy prices even below the record lows achieved during my first term. No president has ever fought harder for our farmers than I did. I issued a rule declaring that E15 would be made available all year round. In addition, I dramatically increased the number of fueling stations where E15 could be sold across the country, by letting them use the existing pumps. I will cancel every Kamala-Biden policy that is brutalizing our farmers. We won’t just increase Ethanol production in our own country, we will make it our mission to export ethanol all over the world.
All Americans have an interest in a regulatory process that is transparent and fact-based, respects the will of Congress, and observes the separation of powers in the Constitution. Federal regulations have a direct impact on farmers and ranchers, and over the years, the breadth and extent of that regulatory landscape have changed. As president, what actions would you take to ensure that the federal government’s regulatory burden on businesses such as farming and ranching is consistent with congressional intent? Will you support regulatory reform to ensure that federal regulations meet a cost-benefit test and make the process of writing new regulations more transparent, and if so, how?
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know that excessive red tape can sometimes prevent small businesses, including small farms and ranches from selling their goods. They also know that it can be difficult for small farmers and ranchers to identify and comply with unnecessarily burdensome regulatory requirements. If they are elected, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will fight to reduce barriers and make it easier for farmers, ranchers, and other small business owners across the country to earn a living and support a family off their hard work. The Biden-Harris Administration has pushed to improve and modernize the process of regulatory review, enhance public participation, and improve regulatory analysis. As president, Kamala Harris will work to ensure regulations are responsive to the needs of everyday Americans.
I will slash regulations that stifle American agriculture and make everything more expensive. I will implement transparency and common sense in rulemaking. During my Presidency, our Department of Agriculture cut 7 old regulations for every 1 new regulation, saving farmers and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. In total, American households saved an average of $11,000 thanks to our regulatory reduction efforts, while the Biden-Harris administration has already imposed additional regulatory costs of $10,000 per household, and those costs are estimated to increase an additional $5,000 per year. In my next term, the Trump Dividend will be even larger. By repealing the Biden-Harris regulatory onslaught, we can save you an estimated $20,000 dollars—$5,000 per year.
Kamala Harris (D)
Donald Trump (R)
Endangered Species Act
Privately owned land provides habitat for the majority of our nation’s endangered and threatened species. As a result, landowners often face harsh regulatory restrictions on their ability to use the land or, worse, lawsuits or enforcement actions. Meanwhile, few species have actually been recovered under the law. It’s time to think about incentive-based programs that create a positive role for landowners in species recovery. As president, how would you fix the broken Endangered Species Act, and what role would you assign America’s landowners?
Kamala Harris
(D)
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are committed to preserving biodiversity across our nation. She believes that conservation hinges on cooperative initiatives that consider all Americans—including American farmers and ranch owners.
Donald Trump (R)
More threatened and endangered species have been delisted and are thriving as a result of the voluntary, locally led and incentives based conservation programs that were a part of the 2018 Farm Bill I signed into law than the harsh regulatory efforts pushed under Harris Biden.
While in office, I signed legislation that authorized land exchanges with state and local governments to promote economic development while facilitating endangered species recovery efforts. A Trump Administration will empower farmers and ranchers to be free of excessive regulations and be the most production on their land. I will be transparent and bring clarity to farmers, ranchers, water users, and landowners in how the law is administrated.
Since the inception of the Clean Water Act (CWA), there has been considerable confusion about where the line of federal jurisdiction lies, and we have seen the regulatory pendulum swing back and forth with each Administration. In May 2023, the Supreme Court handed down a clear decision in Sackett v. EPA, which greatly limited the scope of what the federal government can assert jurisdiction over. While the Sackett decision was a significant advancement in providing a bright line of jurisdiction, the agencies continue to support a regulatory regime that lacks clarity and certainty for landowners. Landowners and the regulated community need clarity from the agencies on how they are interpreting and implementing the rule, especially because the penalties for landowners can be fines up to $64,000/per day or receive jail time for any CWA violations. Lack of certainty and clarity will only open them up to unknowingly violating the law. As president, will you work to reign in the agencies’ regulatory reach, provide clarity for landowners and faithfully enforce the decision that was handed down in Sackett v. EPA?
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz believe that every person in America has a right to clean water. To ensure that no American has to suffer the dangerous effects of contaminated water, the Biden-Harris Administration is working to replace all lead service lines in America—protecting families from lead poisoning, improving wastewater and sanitation infrastructure and tightening standards for toxic air pollutants. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will fight for the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water.
I will immediately stop all Biden/Harris policies that limit the ability of landowners to make a living and save farmers from ridiculous regulations that drive-up costs. This includes EPA rules and regulations that strangle American agriculture. While in office, I repealed President Obama’s ridiculous Waters of the United States rule, an outrageous federal power grab over your private land. I ended the federal intrusion into our Family Farms and our Ranches. No longer should federal bureaucrats tell you how to run your business. The EPA shall never micromanage your land. I will refocus agencies back to their core missions.
Clean Water
Kamala Harris (D)
Donald Trump (R)
Biotechnology
Protecting farmers’ access to modern farming technology, veterinary medications and crop protection tools is important for farmers and ranchers. Our future food security will depend on science, technology and innovation to increase efficiency, adapt to droughts and fight plant diseases. Agricultural biotechnology and other new crop development techniques will prove vital. As president, how would you ensure that new traits are reviewed expeditiously, that USDA’s GMO disclosure rules are focused on science, and that solutions from science and technology are harnessed to meet the challenge of feeding a growing world?
Kamala Harris (D)
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz know that biotechnology and biomanufacturing are poised to expand at a rapid pace over the coming decades, adding thousands of goodpaying jobs across many sectors of the economy. Vice President Harris has fought to expand biotech education and job training programs. In addition, the Biden-Harris Administration is reinvesting in agricultural research at land-grant universities, including 1890 land-grant institutions, bringing the benefits of innovation and progress to farmers and communities across the country.
Rural Life and Health
Donald Trump (R)
In office, I strongly supported access to agriculture biotechnology. The USMCA allowed American farmers and ranchers expanded accesses to cutting-edge biotechnology and eliminated non-scientific barriers. I also signed an executive order that brought innovative new technologies to market in American farming and agriculture. I took action to expedite the review of biotechnology so that farmers can get access to critical scientific advances faster and reap the full benefits of American innovation for years to come.
Rural communities play an important role in our nation’s economy. At the time of the 2020 Census, over 66 million people, about 19.8% of the population, lived in rural areas of the United States, home to a majority of U.S. manufacturing, farming and ranching. Greater access to high speed internet and healthcare in rural areas, enhanced infrastructure investment, reducing opioid addiction, addressing mental health challenges and helping rural economies via rural entrepreneurship and Main Street-friendly tax policies are important components to revitalize rural America. As president, how would you ensure that rural Americans have economic opportunity, greater access to broadband and healthcare, and well-maintained infrastructure to move food, fiber and fuel to consumers and ports, which are all necessary for a sustainable future?
Kamala Harris (D)
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz believe a healthy, vibrant rural America is essential to our nation’s success.
Vice President Harris has addressed rural health care, mental health, the opioid epidemic, and more. Vice President Harris will make affordable health care a right, not a privilege by expanding and strengthening the Affordable Care Act and making permanent the Biden-Harris tax credit enhancements that are lowering health care premiums by an average of about $800 a year for millions of Americans. She’ll build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s successes in bringing down the cost of lifesaving prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries by extending the $35 cap on insulin and $2,000 cap on out-ofpocket spending for seniors to all Americans. Her tie-breaking vote on the Inflation Reduction Act gave Medicare the power to go toe to toe with Big Pharma and negotiate lower drug prices. As President, she’ll accelerate the negotiations to cover more drugs and lower prices for Americans. As Vice President, she also announced that medical debt will be removed from credit reports, and helped cancel $7 billion of medical debt for 3 million Americans. As President, she’ll work with states to cancel medical debt for even more Americans.
Vice President Harris has also worked to expand access to health care in rural America, dedicating $100 million to grow the workforce of registered nurses and nurse practitioners, especially for rural communities, and expanded support for rural hospitals with $500 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants. She has taken action to address our nation’s mental
Donald Trump (R)
I am proud to be the candidate who has consistently had overwhelming support from rural America. I believe, with all my heart, that our rural communities are absolutely critical to this country – and I have proven that by my actions. While many in Washington deride rural America as “flyover country,” I know that every one of those communities is home to American families, and they deserve a government who cares about them and their unique needs. As President, I will once again commit to investing billions of dollars to expand rural broadband and improve rural infrastructure. I will take decisive action to slash regulatory approval times for critical infrastructure. I will take bold action to deploy high-speed 5G networks, improve rural healthcare, and bring prosperity to distressed rural communities across America. And perhaps most importantly, I will ensure that the United States has the lowest cost of energy, electricity, and gasoline on earth. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to the high-costof energy policy of “net-zero”, including banning the sale of gasoline powered cars and pickup trucks, that would be the death knell of the rural way of life. I will repeal net zero policies, including the very expensive Electric Vehicle mandate, which will force many Americans in rural settings to buy expensive electric cars and trucks that they don’t want.
The Harris-Biden Electric Vehicle mandate if successful would crush the rural economy eliminating hundreds of thousands of rural jobs in the agriculture, energy and powdered metals industries. If rural America fails all America fails.
Kamala Harris (D) cont.
health crisis by ensuring mental health coverage will be covered at the same level as other health care for Americans, securing record funding to hire and train over 14,000 mental health professionals for our schools, and expanding access to mental health services with $10 million in dedicated funding for rural areas. She has also helped provide a $50 million initiative to support opioid treatment and recovery services in rural communities.
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are committed to creating economic opportunity in rural America. Through the once-in-a-generation actions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Vice President Harris and President Biden channeled historic investments to deliver affordable high-speed internet, safe roads and bridges, modern wastewater systems, clean drinking water, reliable and affordable electricity, and good-paying jobs in rural communities. Vice President Harris has helped bring high-speed internet access to more than 622,000 people in rural
Federal Land Management
areas with a $90 billion investment to fight for reliable, affordable high speed internet for everyone in America.
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz plan to expand the Rural Partners Network nationwide, ensuring that communities across America’s heartland have federal resources available to them that are often too difficult to access. They also have set a goal to see 25 million new small business applications in their first term, including by cutting red tape that makes it harder for businesses to launch and grow, expanding the startup expense deduction from $5,000 to $50,000, creating innovation hubs, and expanding venture capital and other innovative financing to all of America, including rural America. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will lower the costs of housing, including by building three million more affordable homes and rental units to end the national housing supply crisis in her first term and provide first-time homebuyers with up to $25,000 to help with their down payments.
The United States has established “multiple use” for federal lands to guarantee our longstanding tradition of joining together in our care, enjoyment, use and conservation of the open spaces we all cherish. Farmers and ranchers are partners in federal land management, and livestock grazing on federal lands is integral to the success of ranching. As president, what policies would you support to ensure the continued success of multiple use for federal lands?
Kamala Harris (D)
Vice President Harris and Governor Walz believe that the federal government should work with Americans—including farmers and ranchers—to manage the care, enjoyment, use and conservation of America’s public lands and waters. Under her leadership, the Department of the Interior and the USDA Forest Service are providing relief to ranchers by being flexible to the needs of farmers and ranchers and the conditions that they face on the ground, including by making pasture land available for grazing and issuing refunds to ranchers that were displaced by early season fires and therefore not able to make use of their allotments. When they’re elected, Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will continue to partner with farmers and ranchers to promote the balanced management of America’s public lands.
Donald Trump (R)
As president, I ended the last administration’s federal land grab. The federal government does not have unlimited power to lock-up millions of acres of land and water. I believe states, communities and private land owners know best how to manage their own resources. I ended the egregious abuse of federal power and put the American People back in charge of their land, their government, and their lives.
America’s National Forests were primarily created to provide vital resources included timber, energy, clean water and revenue to our rural communities where they are located. This is a promise our Nation made over a century ago and one my administration will keep.
New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau 2024 Annual Meeting
November 21-22 | Embassy Suites Albuquerque TENTATIVE AGENDA - SUBJECT TO CHANGE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
8 a.m. Registration Opens Delegate Credentials Open
