PEEPS + EATS

Meet US Ambassador Kip Tom

by Sue Pais photos provided by US Ambassador Kip Tom

There are many who think about helping others (and, we thank you). There are some who put thought into action to help others (and we thank you, too). And then there are those few who proceed with insatiable pursuit to fulfill needs on a global level, while representing this country we love.

One such soul is from the small town and farm fields of Leesburg. And although his appointment as US Ambassador placed him in Rome, his roots have always remained firmly planted among the Tom Farms crops and fields, right here, in Kosciusko County. LAKElife readers, we are pleased to introduce to you, our very own US Ambassador Kip Tom.

Ambassador Tom visiting a farm + inspecting its crops outside of Khartoum, Sudan. Because they have not been allowed to access the innovations we have in the US, they suffer more than $8 billion in losses from various pests— but as Ambassador Tom said, “it is not the financial loss but the loss of lives that occurs because they do not have the ability to fend off the pests, and hunger becomes a more significant issue.”

What are your thoughts on exhibiting a servant-like attitude.

I believe many of us receive a calling to give back to the world. It could be serving in a capacity in an individual’s local community on a school board, a local nonprofit, or on the national stage serving our country in government or protecting our nation. There are just so many ways. I am just fortunate to have these opportunities to help in any way I am able, and am humbled by the task at-hand to benefit humanity around the world, in order to achieve peace and security.

What’s a concern you have for humanity, based upon your experiences around the world?

Hope can so easily slip away without individuals having compassion for and support of our next generation, our environment, and improving humanity and people’s livelihoods. Without hope, people unfortunately may become involved in many other activities that can be detrimental to society, themselves, and their families.

World Food Program Executive Director David Beasley and Ambassador Kip Tom following the ceremony to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in January 2021. Ambassador Tom pictured with USDAID personnel from the United States and Zimbabwe, along with the World Food Program country manager; during a visit to a storage facility of US commodities at a site in Harare, for later distribution in Zimbabwe to food-insecure populations.

Please provide us a glimpse into your role + accomplishments.

As Ambassador to the Rome-based UN agencies, it was my honor to represent the United States of America. I am most proud of how we changed the direction of the Food and Agriculture Organization to improve agricultural capacity and resilience in developing worlds. I also worked with the World Food Program (WFP) to increase the capacity of the WFP to meet the food security needs around the world during the COVID pandemic. As a farmer, I was able to bring a unique perspective to the role as a practitioner, and hope I was able to provide greater insight as to how agriculture, in addition to our mission to feed the world, can be not only a peacemaking tool, but also a promoter of operating systems that reduce our carbon footprint and protect our environmental surroundings.

Please share a little about your Midwestern roots.

I am not only a Midwesterner, but I am proud of my upbringing and my roots in Leesburg, Indiana. I am a seventhgeneration farmer, having grown up in a family that instilled the values of hard work and recognizing the importance of staying on the job until it is done. I grew up in a family of very modest means, but I fully enjoyed my rural life with my loving and supporting parents, siblings, and family— and with the indelible experiences found within organizations such as 4-H, FFA, and our church.

How did your upbringing affect your successes today?

As a family we would go to church, usually arriving 15 minutes early every Sunday, despite having already completed several hours of chores, eaten a well-rounded breakfast, and gotten seven of us through one bathroom to get ready! It was my parents, my family, my environment, and the community I grew up in that supported my efforts globally.

If you had one wish then would it be to end hunger?

Earth has plenty of food. But millions don’t have enough access to it. Hunger has many causes but is exasperated by decisions to not address those causes directly, and in a timely fashion. Hunger is typically caused by climate issues, conflict, incomes, food prices, culture, and politics all in negative combination. To prevent hunger and ultimately famine, we need to find new ways to work together. So, my wish is that we could do just that—work together to solve famine and poverty.

Please share a little about Tom Farms.

Tom Farms is a family farm, as are nearly 98 percent of all farms in the US today. Our family settled in northern Indiana in 1837 and my children are now operating the business in the day-to-day activities as the eighth generation. We have two of the ninth generation currently studying Agriculture at Purdue. We, like many family farms across the US, make decisions that are multi-generational in terms of legacy, transition, our environmental impact, and our desire to seek continuity for the family business to continue.

Please describe the needs you’ve witnessed, so we better understand what’s occurring on a global level.

Often times as Americans we tend to ignore (or not accept) the challenges that others in the developing world face. Keep in mind, the US is only 4.5 percent of the world’s population.

By our estimates, 30 million people are in extreme hunger-emergencies today. These folks are always hours, or at the most— days away from starvation and death. While they are in this condition, they are permanently damaging their health, productivity, and ability to recover— ever. At the next level, there are 270 million people in hunger-crisis, which includes those who are unfortunately destined to join the 30 million in extreme hunger emergencies.

“I traveled to Beruit, Lebanon following the explosion in August at the port that killed and injured thousands. Beside the port was storage of significant amounts of grain intended to feed many of the nation’s hungry; the food was lost with the explosion. With support of the United States and the World Food Program we had food, emergency supplies, temporary housing, and medical resources on the site within 24 hours. The people of Lebanon were already in a desperate hunger situation even before this blast occurred…” – Ambassador Tom

Do you still reside in Italy? Any plans to return ‘home?’

As a Presidential appointee and Senate-confirmed US Ambassador, and like all other US Ambassadors around the world, we were mandated to be back on US soil on January 20, 2021. I stayed engaged serving our country until the final minutes before noon on January 20 after returning from my post in Rome, Italy. Today, I am living near Tippecanoe Lake and the farm I have been a part of since my early childhood. George Washington made the following quote: ‘At my age, and in my circumstances, what sinister object, or personal emolument had I to seek after, in this life? The growing infirmities of age and the increasing love of retirement, daily confirm my decided predilection for domestic life: and the great searcher of human hearts is my witness, that I have no wish, which aspires beyond the humble and happy lot of living and dying a private citizen on my own farm.’ I can assure you I have not reached this landmark period that President George Washington has described, as I have much more to accomplish in this life, but his sentiments are certainly words which I easily embrace.

So, you’re ‘home.’ Any lake-oriented memories you’d share?

I grew up between Leesburg and Milford, so after a day of baling hay or pulling weeds on the farm our parents would take us to Tippecanoe Lake, or Waubee Lake to ‘cool off’ on those hot and humid summers in Indiana. We didn’t have a boat but we certainly enjoyed the time at the beaches. Today, I want to make sure farms like ours and others continue to be stewards of our environment, working to protect our lakes and streams for future generations.

Any final thoughts to share with our readership?

It is easy for us to get caught up having a focus on life in the US. Possibly we complain about trivial issues like traffic congestion, WiFi speed, cellular coverage, or a feature in our car or home. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of people around the world are living on less than $2 (US) a day. Less than 1 percent of our US budget goes toward foreign aid. I believe awareness of the crises around the world is critical. What we do with that awareness may involve educating the next generations about world food issues and their impact on peace and security, and broadening our own involvement in promoting food security, not only in the US but on the global stage.

Humble thanks to you for your service Ambassador Tom. You should still be called Ambassador, correct?

Yes, the title Ambassador stays with you for life. But I am still, just Kip. Life is better on the I can help you get there!

Lori Horney-Marple

Senior Loan Officer

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574.527.5969

lori@ruoff.com LoriHorney.com

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