President Joe Biden delivers a videotaped message to the 103rd gathering of the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Atlanta.
By Brent Adams
The closing general session of the 103rd Farm Bureau Convention in Atlanta opened with a videotaped message from President Joe Biden.
In it, he touted many of the initiatives the administration has focused on that are expected to have an impact on rural America, including a July 2021 Executive Order promoting competition in the American economy. The order included some provisions directly pertaining to the agricultural markets.
“You deserve A. affordable seed and other inputs, B. markets that allow you to get a fair price for your livestock and other products, C. agricultural export service, timely service, to get your goods to markets around the world and D. the right to repair the equipment you own either yourself or at a shop.”
Biden went on to discuss how the federal government is investing as much as $1 billion in American Rescue Plan Funds for new and expanded meat and poultry processing capacity and working to strengthen protections for farmers.
“We’re gonna strengthen the rules on of the Packers and Stockyard Act to protect farmers and ranchers,” Biden said. “We have a bipartisan group of senators now working on legislation to make cattle markets more transparent, because this isn’t about Republican or Democrats, red states or blue states. It’s about making sure that your contributions are recognized and your challenges are addressed.”
Biden also made a pitch for his infrastructure and Build Back Better initiatives.
“This is all about making sure that all of you are fully dialed in as we build back better,” Biden said. “For example, the investments we’re making as part of my infrastructure, law and roads, bridges, rail, waterways, to build more resilient supply chains, to make it easier, faster, and cheaper for you to get your goods to market the markets you need to reach. And I know that our investments in universal high-speed internet, clean drinking water, they’re both critical to rural communities. In addition, I’m working to make sure that you have the resources that continue protecting our nation’s soil, water, and air, and to be partners in developing climate solutions through voluntary conservation efforts every day you feed and fuel our country.”
Prior to announcing U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to the gathering, Biden closed by pledging his support for the nation’s farmers and ranchers.
“I want you to know that every day, I mean this every day, you have a partner in the White House.”