Ag industry leaders share their thoughts about America and freedom in agriculture

INDIANAPOLIS — The month of July Is usually A pretty patriotic time when people mirror on America and what it means to them.

A quantity of agriculture chiefs all by way of the state and the nation took the time To answer what America and, particularly, the Fourth of July means to them, Collectively with the significance Of getting freedom Inside the agriculture enterprise.

“If I Desired to exact the which Method of the American experiment In a single phrase, It Might be freedom. That is what makes America so particular to me and numerous others. In America We now have The power to pursue our ardours and goals for household, enterprise and way of life with out interference from The federal authorities. The power of free people Might Even be most evident Everytime You are taking A look at America’s farmers. Since our founding, the American people have take pleasure ined a rich bounty of pure useful assets Which have allowed the cultivation of our land and currentd useful assets and meals for generations. This present of tillable land and The biggest to personal and develop that land has made America a mannequin For a technique free markets and agriculture can work together. America’s response for particular person property rights has constructed a by way ofble and plentiful system for offering extreme quality meals and pure useful assets for our nation and past. Smart agriculture coverage ought to start and finish with meeting the wants of farmers and producers. As America’s agriculture enterprise proceeds to develop and innovate, we should On A daily basis stay dedicated to freedom and farmers.”

Suzanne Crouch, lieutenant governor

Indiana

Harper

“The Fourth of July means pausing and celebrating The libertys we take pleasure in as residents of The biggest nation On the earth as a Outcome of All of us know that freedom isn’t free. Simply this previous weekfinish, I had The respect of witnessing six army veterans conduct an official flag-burning ceremony at an FFA Camp in Ohio. Simply as these veterans have carried out their service to this good nation, so did these flags, and when it acquired here time for us To take movement, we paid our respect to our nation’s colours and retired them with honor. Celebrating the Fourth of July means celebrating our lovely flag and all that it recurrents, As properly as to the brave Males And women Who’ve dawned a uniform To shield it. Definitely one of many many freedoms we take pleasure in as People is The liberty to work in any profession we choose, and with out hesitation, I think about I am going to Finally choose work Inside the enterprise of agriculture. The FFA Is An excellent group rooted in agriculture and management enchancment and It is what had led me To discover A strong ardour for manufacturing agriculture evaluation. Working in agriculture means Tons to me Because of FFA and all that it has carried out to make me A gooder particular person and chief. It Does not matter what, I’ll On A daily basis practice my freedoms to assist my native FFA chapter and the agriculture enterprise And that i am very grateful I’ve The prospect To take movement.”

Doster Harper, 2020-2021 president

Nationwide FFA

Brpersonaling

“To me, the Fourth of July is a day of gratitude and celebration. We’re In a place to rejoice The libertys that have been fought For A pair of years in the past. I’ve a lot gratitude for the service Males And women who sacrifice and sacrificed utterly every thing, permitting us to be the ‘land of the free.’ It is about acknowledging the privilege to be On this nation and all that comes with it, together with an plentiful meals current currentd by farmers. I am grateful to have chosen a profession that assists assist People who work exhausting on A daily basis To place meals on the plates of their households and their group. It honors indepfinishence, freedom, households And restore.”

Jenni Brpersonaling, CEO

American Dairy Affiliation Indiana

Raynor

“Fourth of July is a time To mirror on The worth our nation has paid to stay in a state of freedom. Whereas Right now marks An monumental milestone in our nation’s historic previous, People proceed to wrestle Daily to obtaInside Their very personal sense of indepfinishence. The identical technique this nation fought and sacrificed To understand its freedom, we, the people, ought to dedicate the similar willpower To Make constructive that freedom and justice abounds for all. As a public servant with the U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, I’ve the unrestricted freedom to deal with every particular person with the utmost respect, making sure eextreme quality in service destayry and serving to Indiana landpersonalers pursue Their very personal happiness for A greater extreme quality of life. I’ve The liberty To go atechnique An finishuring influence on one of the world’s largest industries and I Decide to Do this one particular person, one farm, one acre and one useful useful resource On the time.”

Jerry Raynor, Indiana state conservationist

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Kettler

“For me, America is The final phrase alternative For everyone To understand their full potential And expertise. I am proud to be An factor of our good enterprise of agriculture. Feeding the world proceeds to be Definitely one of the biggest expression of service to humanity and group. We’re fortunate to have The prospect to be free and pursue the goals We Want to stay.”

Bruce Kettler, director

Indiana State Division of Agriculture

Dahmer

“To me, the Fourth of July Is An best time To mirror on how fortunate I am to have The libertys that I’ve. It currents me An alternative to rejoice these freedoms by way of outward expression of patriotism. I’ve several Relations Who’ve fought for these freedoms. It is An alternative to Be grateful for what I’ve. I’m particularly grateful to have The liberty to be involved Inside the agriculture enterprise. My involvement Signifies that I’m carrying on the legacy of my ancestors and that fills me with satisfaction. I’ll eternally Be grateful for The liberty to be involved Inside the enterprise that I actually like In all probability the most.”

Paxton Dahmer, 2020-2021 central area Vice chairman

Nationwide FFA