Smith: The best farmers and ranchers in the world

As a young kid, I always loved helping out on my grandparents’ farm. It was an opportunity to spend quality time with family and it helped me learn the value of hard work. It’s also what inspired me to join FFA, study agriculture in college, and do whatever it would take to one day purchase the farm, which I was able to do using the money I made from harvesting timber on the property while I was in law school. Running my farm, which has been in my family for four generations, isn’t easy. But there is nothing more rewarding.

The dream of one day owning a farm or ranch is something that many in southeast and south-central Missouri can relate to. That’s especially true for the farmers and ranchers I met with during this year’s Farm Tour. It’s an annual tradition where I visit farms, ranches, and agriculture businesses to showcase Missouri agriculture and get an update on the biggest challenges facing the men and women who work incredibly hard to feed and fuel the world.

This year, I kicked off my Farm Tour at Gidcumb Farms in Dent County, where my family has lived since the early 1800’s. Three generations of the family run Gidcumb Farms, which produces peppers, okra, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, and more. And just like so many farm families, the Gidcumbs have faced challenges with the federal government – especially when it comes to burdensome regulations. In Washington, I’m working around the clock to get the federal government off the backs of our farmers and ranchers so they can focus on doing what they love: making a living by producing the best agriculture products found anywhere in the world.

As any farmer or rancher knows, bad trade policy makes it harder to compete and succeed. One of my biggest frustrations with the Biden-Harris administration is that it refuses to stand up for our farmers and ranchers when it comes to trade.

Hunter and Tristan Duff, owners of Duff Farms in Sikeston, were exactly right when they said ranchers and farmers are getting the short end of the stick because our trade partners aren’t playing fair – and the administration isn’t pushing back. Whether it’s Mexico refusing to buy U.S. corn or India subsidizing domestic rice production, I’ve been fighting to hold our trade partners accountable for not living up to their end of the bargain. But the Duff brothers, who aren’t even 30 years old yet, aren’t letting adversity get in the way. They are doing an incredible job with growing and expanding their cattle operation, which they took over after their grandfather passed away. I will continue doing everything I can to advance policies that will give farm families like the Duffs more tools to be successful.

Agriculture is the foundation of southeast and south-central Missouri’s economy. And inspiring the younger generation to pursue a career in agriculture is critical to the long-term success of our rural communities. That was the focus of my remarks at an event at Missouri State University-West Plains celebrating the expansion of its Agriculture and Science Education Center.

A new Collegiate FFA Chapter and rodeo program are just two examples of how MSU West-Plains is thinking outside the box to strengthen our rural communities and encourage people to pursue a career in agriculture. As a former FFA student, I’m really excited about MSU-West Plains’ Collegiate FFA Chapter. I wouldn’t be who I am today without FFA. It helped me develop leadership skills and overcome my fear of public speaking. It also further inspired me to become a cattle rancher. There’s no doubt in my mind that MSU-West Plains’ new programs will inspire future generations to pursue a career in agriculture and benefit our rural communities for years to come.

While I know the last several years under the Biden-Harris administration hasn’t been easy, Missouri farmers and ranchers are resilient. They work incredibly hard from sunrise to sundown to make a living and take care of their families. As their voice in Congress, I will never stop fighting for the issues they care most about. Strengthening our rural communities has been, and always will be, my number one priority.

Jason Smith (R-MO) represents the eighth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.