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The Food Dialogues is a site created and managed by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA). USFRA created The Food Dialogues to answer Americans’ questions about how food is grown and raised. This organization, which is a coalition of farmers, ranchers and their industry partners, is committed to continuously improving how they grow and raise food that provides healthy choices for people everywhere. Through The Food Dialogues, USFRA hopes to bring together different viewpoints on farming and ranching and the future of food to solve our most challenging problems.

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Questions Within: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

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I am in the process of starting small milling company. I would like to start milling Oats. Where can I buy dried whole oats seeds for my milling company located in New Castle, Delaware?

Author: Fred

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

I would like to own an Oats Farm in Delaware or Maryland. What do I need to do to acquire land and machinery needed to start Oats farm?

Author: Fred

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

In today's world, we are seeing an ever increasing age of our farmers. Today the average age of the American farmer is 57 and rising. It alarms me that it is up to that. As a 20 yr old 5th generation farmer, i have an idea as to why it is that high. With land prices skyrocketing, fertilizer prices up, and more natural disasters and droughts, why are some reasons you see that young people aren't getting into farming? What programs are there to help young farmers? How can local non-agricultural people help? And last, what is your idea of what a typical farmer looks like/life is like??

Author: JRUDD

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

1

Vote

Why doesn't this organization get it? Agriculture is not a dirty word today. As a farmer I find it to be a very trendy word as I meet and relate to people. The dirty word today is "Ag-industry".

Author: eddysinger

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

Where is USFRA on the 2012 Farm & Food Bill? That's a once-in-five-year opportunity to truly begin shifting the direction of agriculture policy, providing more incentives for aspiring farmers to start their own farm businesses through sustainable practices. That's where the market is headed but where are the voices of farmers and ranchers?

Author: heath

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

1

Vote

Are land prices becoming too high?

Author: Tom Lindemann

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

0

Vote

Why has it taken this long for modern farmers and their representatives to directly confront their implacable enemies? Apparently something has changed.

Author: Eric Baumholder

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

Would you supplement your diesel fuel needs by growing your own PVO to use as a biodiesel? For farmers and ranchers south of a line from Corpus Christi to Laredo (best weather for a cold intolerant plant), jatropha curcas (The Barbados Nut) would be a great addition, in lowering fuel costs, reduction of pollutants, very slightly decreasing foriegn demand for petroleum products (oil for diesel fuel).

Author: Clint

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

How can the consumer help the Farmer and Rancher?

Author: Realfoodempire

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (2)

1

Vote

This is a comment rather than a question. I was borne in New York City, and am a city person. Nevertheless, I am horrified by the idea of forbidding farmers from saving seeds. I would hope that farmers from the whole world, including the USA, would oppose this law forbidding Iraqi farmers from saving their seed.

Author: rham

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

The optimal strategy for building soil for highly productive food gardening is also, when adopted globally by 6 billion people, the most powerful force for pulling carbon from the atmosphere and storing it, and it reduces energy use by 50x and water use by 6x compared to conventional agricultur. The specific disciplines are BioIntensive Gardening, Permaculture, French Intensive BioDynamic Gardening, and the creation of gas from cellulose, for use as energy, when making biochar, which sequesters lots of carbon, and releases it slowly. Also use source reduction: capturing the manure of livestock and humans, adding waste vegetable matter in the optimal proportions, processing it to capture its methane gas, breaking the methane down while providing energy, and using the remaining solids as soil additives and / or sanitary bedding for the livestock. Who supports this?

Author: Mark Roest

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

Given climate change, it behooves a nation to keep food reserves for its people. What comes to mind are the seven lean years in Egypt versus the seven good years during biblical times under Joseph. One hears of year 2012 where the sun will spit out excess radiation and toast earth and its food supply. Does the United States have a government food reserve for its people that will last seven years or more??? Severe climate change can happen affecting our growing seasons, our crops and our food supply. Food may become more precious than gold or oil in the forseeable future. Is there a government foodstock stockpile? One of China's greatest vulnerabilities is lack of food for its people. I have been told that China keeps large US treasury reserves to be able to buy food from the US in case of a national emergency. What if the US has no food to sell to China in an emergency. What then?

Author: zorrro

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

I want to know how I can get a representative here in my county/state to speak to the local farmers. I want to get them to stop growing Monsanto's GMO grains.

Author: Brer Wulf

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

1

Vote

Are dairy cooperatives the answer to meeting demand for dairy products as well as providing an open market for smaller scale farmers to sell their goods? Could this cooperative model work in other agricultural industries as well?

Author: rtlindquist

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

1

Vote

Kirby Schmidt, Minnesota I believe our future consumers can be positively shaped at a young age. Is making food and agriculture education courses a high school graduation requirement realistic? Especially for urban/metropolitan education systems?

Author: MNSoy

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (3)

1

Vote

Today's dialogues have been wonderfully thought provoking; however, they have been focused very much on challenges facing U.S. farmers and ranchers (fair enough). But especially given the longstanding global nature of our food system, how can we meet these challenges in ways that lead us toward sharing the successes we hope for in the U.S. more widely with food producers globally

Author: Valentine

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

0

Vote

Will USFRA affiliated organizations' members disclose the amount of government subsidies they receive so that the public has a better understanding of American farm subsidies and can develop informed opinions on how to improve our agricultural policies?

Author: denise

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (3)

20

Vote

Where was the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance during the just ended United Nations Summit on NCDs? (Sept. 19 & 20) Representation from Food and Agriculture sectors was lacking, as agriculture, food and nutrition are naturally important parts of any discussion on health and disease.

Author: maryk

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

4

Vote

What role do responsible farm managers have for "calling out" bad actors in their farm communities?

Author: Willie Vogt

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

3

Vote

What do you feel is U.S. agriculture's responsibility in feeding a population expected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050? Do you agree or disagree that it takes all types of farms to offer both the choices and necessary quantity of food?

Author: Michele Payn-Knoper

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (32)

63

Vote

Why are there not more farmers on the panels at the town halls? I thought this was a farmer outreach. For the NYC panel, I would prefer to see some farmers on the panel from NY or the Northeast.

Author: NYFarmer

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

3

Vote

When will people stop using buzz words such as "dirty word" to short-change the discussion of a very complex topic? In other words, when will facts, justice, social responsibility and science be used instead of charged rhetoric in our national discourse? Seek the truth and tell the truth and we shall be free and healthy and prosperous.

Author: Robert

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

2

Vote

What resources do farmers and ranchers have to stay up to date on the latest insights into farming/ranching techniques, methods and consumer trends?

Author: TruffleMedia

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

4

Vote

Why are farmers and ranchers joining forces for this effort?

Author: USFRA

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

7

Vote

What do you feel is U.S. agriculture's responsibility in feeding a population expected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050? Do you agree or disagree that it takes all types of farms to offer both the choices and necessary quantity of food?

Author: Michele Payn-Knoper

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (32)

63

Vote

Will USFRA affiliated organizations' members disclose the amount of government subsidies they receive so that the public has a better understanding of American farm subsidies and can develop informed opinions on how to improve our agricultural policies?

Author: denise

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (3)

20

Vote

Why are farmers and ranchers joining forces for this effort?

Author: USFRA

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

7

Vote

What resources do farmers and ranchers have to stay up to date on the latest insights into farming/ranching techniques, methods and consumer trends?

Author: TruffleMedia

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

4

Vote

Where was the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance during the just ended United Nations Summit on NCDs? (Sept. 19 & 20) Representation from Food and Agriculture sectors was lacking, as agriculture, food and nutrition are naturally important parts of any discussion on health and disease.

Author: maryk

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

4

Vote

Why are there not more farmers on the panels at the town halls? I thought this was a farmer outreach. For the NYC panel, I would prefer to see some farmers on the panel from NY or the Northeast.

Author: NYFarmer

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

3

Vote

What role do responsible farm managers have for "calling out" bad actors in their farm communities?

Author: Willie Vogt

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

3

Vote

When will people stop using buzz words such as "dirty word" to short-change the discussion of a very complex topic? In other words, when will facts, justice, social responsibility and science be used instead of charged rhetoric in our national discourse? Seek the truth and tell the truth and we shall be free and healthy and prosperous.

Author: Robert

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

2

Vote

Kirby Schmidt, Minnesota I believe our future consumers can be positively shaped at a young age. Is making food and agriculture education courses a high school graduation requirement realistic? Especially for urban/metropolitan education systems?

Author: MNSoy

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (3)

1

Vote

Are dairy cooperatives the answer to meeting demand for dairy products as well as providing an open market for smaller scale farmers to sell their goods? Could this cooperative model work in other agricultural industries as well?

Author: rtlindquist

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

1

Vote

I want to know how I can get a representative here in my county/state to speak to the local farmers. I want to get them to stop growing Monsanto's GMO grains.

Author: Brer Wulf

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

1

Vote

How can the consumer help the Farmer and Rancher?

Author: Realfoodempire

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (2)

1

Vote

Where is USFRA on the 2012 Farm & Food Bill? That's a once-in-five-year opportunity to truly begin shifting the direction of agriculture policy, providing more incentives for aspiring farmers to start their own farm businesses through sustainable practices. That's where the market is headed but where are the voices of farmers and ranchers?

Author: heath

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

1

Vote

In today's world, we are seeing an ever increasing age of our farmers. Today the average age of the American farmer is 57 and rising. It alarms me that it is up to that. As a 20 yr old 5th generation farmer, i have an idea as to why it is that high. With land prices skyrocketing, fertilizer prices up, and more natural disasters and droughts, why are some reasons you see that young people aren't getting into farming? What programs are there to help young farmers? How can local non-agricultural people help? And last, what is your idea of what a typical farmer looks like/life is like??

Author: JRUDD

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

1

Vote

Today's dialogues have been wonderfully thought provoking; however, they have been focused very much on challenges facing U.S. farmers and ranchers (fair enough). But especially given the longstanding global nature of our food system, how can we meet these challenges in ways that lead us toward sharing the successes we hope for in the U.S. more widely with food producers globally

Author: Valentine

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

0

Vote

Given climate change, it behooves a nation to keep food reserves for its people. What comes to mind are the seven lean years in Egypt versus the seven good years during biblical times under Joseph. One hears of year 2012 where the sun will spit out excess radiation and toast earth and its food supply. Does the United States have a government food reserve for its people that will last seven years or more??? Severe climate change can happen affecting our growing seasons, our crops and our food supply. Food may become more precious than gold or oil in the forseeable future. Is there a government foodstock stockpile? One of China's greatest vulnerabilities is lack of food for its people. I have been told that China keeps large US treasury reserves to be able to buy food from the US in case of a national emergency. What if the US has no food to sell to China in an emergency. What then?

Author: zorrro

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

The optimal strategy for building soil for highly productive food gardening is also, when adopted globally by 6 billion people, the most powerful force for pulling carbon from the atmosphere and storing it, and it reduces energy use by 50x and water use by 6x compared to conventional agricultur. The specific disciplines are BioIntensive Gardening, Permaculture, French Intensive BioDynamic Gardening, and the creation of gas from cellulose, for use as energy, when making biochar, which sequesters lots of carbon, and releases it slowly. Also use source reduction: capturing the manure of livestock and humans, adding waste vegetable matter in the optimal proportions, processing it to capture its methane gas, breaking the methane down while providing energy, and using the remaining solids as soil additives and / or sanitary bedding for the livestock. Who supports this?

Author: Mark Roest

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

Would you supplement your diesel fuel needs by growing your own PVO to use as a biodiesel? For farmers and ranchers south of a line from Corpus Christi to Laredo (best weather for a cold intolerant plant), jatropha curcas (The Barbados Nut) would be a great addition, in lowering fuel costs, reduction of pollutants, very slightly decreasing foriegn demand for petroleum products (oil for diesel fuel).

Author: Clint

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

This is a comment rather than a question. I was borne in New York City, and am a city person. Nevertheless, I am horrified by the idea of forbidding farmers from saving seeds. I would hope that farmers from the whole world, including the USA, would oppose this law forbidding Iraqi farmers from saving their seed.

Author: rham

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

Why has it taken this long for modern farmers and their representatives to directly confront their implacable enemies? Apparently something has changed.

Author: Eric Baumholder

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

Are land prices becoming too high?

Author: Tom Lindemann

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (1)

0

Vote

Why doesn't this organization get it? Agriculture is not a dirty word today. As a farmer I find it to be a very trendy word as I meet and relate to people. The dirty word today is "Ag-industry".

Author: eddysinger

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

I would like to own an Oats Farm in Delaware or Maryland. What do I need to do to acquire land and machinery needed to start Oats farm?

Author: Fred

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

I am in the process of starting small milling company. I would like to start milling Oats. Where can I buy dried whole oats seeds for my milling company located in New Castle, Delaware?

Author: Fred

:

Topic: Agricultural Leadership & Responsibility

:

Comment (0)

0

Vote

When Did Agriculture Become A Dirty Word?

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