Food & Ag

There’s an interesting debate surrounding food standards that’s taking place in Washington and other states across America. How should plant-based products that are alternatives to dairy products be labeled? How should protein that does not come from livestock or poultry, or is produced from livestock and poultry in nontraditional ways, be labeled. Who should regulate it?

Shakespeare’s Juliet asked, “What’s in a name?” Today’s consumers are asking the same question.

Prior to enactment of SB 627 that I sponsored, state statute was: “No person advertising, offering for sale, or selling a carcass shall engage in any misleading or deceptive practice including misrepresenting the cut, grade, brand or trade name, or weight or measure of any product.”

Words matter. Labels matter. That is why primary jurisdiction over cell-based meat products rests with USDA.

Standards of identity should serve consumers, not protect incumbents from competition by attempting to censor labels that are clear to consumers; that would violate the First Amendment.

In “Hamlet,” Shakespeare writes, “to thine own self be true.” Sound advice. For people. And food.

Consumers shouldn’t be misled into thinking a plant-based beverage is nutritionally equivalent to real milk that comes from a cow. That’s why dairy producers insist the FDA enforce its own standards of identity.

Words can change meaning over time, and the transient nature of definitions is becoming a significant issue in the food world.

The debate over standards of identity for plant-based milk and other dairy alternatives is a solution in search of a problem. Companies selling dairy alternatives are using truthful and non-misleading labels and no one is confused.

When consumers visit the grocery store, they expect packaging and labels to reflect the true nature of a product. Consumers may not know that “standards of identity” underpin each item they see on store shelves, but they trust the federal government to ensure that product labels are not false or misleading.

Science is awesome. It can also be creepy. And as we saw from consumers’ responses to genetic engineering, triggering that darker chord can have real economic consequences.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb was on to something when he said: “An almond doesn’t lactate” while describing efforts to modernize food standards of identity like “milk,” so there’s greater clarity and consumers are not misled.

You reap what you sow. You’ve heard the expression before – you get what you give. It’s a sentiment that rings especially true when examining agriculture’s future. American farmers are aging out of farming, and younger generations don’t have the necessary tools to carry on the work.

Agriculture and food opportunities are secure, plentiful and lucrative. There’s a shortage of people seeking agriculture careers, due in part to a misunderstanding of careers that exist. Many believe food and ag careers are limited to field labor; however, the industry needs people in finance, technology, science, data analytics, sales and agronomy.

Because of my Jr. MANRRS membership, I’ve been exposed to the world of agriculture’s endless opportunities. MANRRS fostered my interest by providing the opportunity to network with people who work in the field of agriculture and to learn from their personal experiences.

America’s youth are needed in the agricultural industry now more than ever. By 2050, farmers across the globe will be responsible for providing food for over nine billion people, and we’ll need to nearly double food production. The next generation of Americans must be prepared to unlock new and unique ways to feed, fuel and clothe the world.

Have you seen an FFA member in a blue corduroy jacket lately? Look closely. Each of us wields the power to fuel, feed and clothe our future.

The average age of today’s farmer is 58. To keep American farms and ranches productive, we need to attract more young people into this challenging – but rewarding – field.

There is a tremendous need for young people to drive the economy, innovate and invest their energy to solve real-world issues. This is true across every industry – from business to fashion to agriculture.

Future Farmers of America – now called FFA – was founded in 1928. Congress recognized the importance of FFA as an integral part of vocational agriculture and in 1950, granted it a federal charter.

At MANRRS, we are changing the face of agriculture, natural resources and related sciences by supplying the industry with a diverse pool of talented leaders. We combine our passion for improving quality of life with new ideas and perspectives to enhance the world around us.

The average age of the American farmer is trending upward. Meanwhile, the need for a secure food supply intensifies each year.

America’s farmers are aging. For every farmer under 35, there are six over 65. Millions of acres need new farmers. Yet farmland is too expensive for young farmers. It’s why they can’t get started. It’s why they quit.

Developing a love for agriculture brought me the idea to tie my passion into a learning experience for others. Through 4-H, I started Woodard’s Workshops where I teach my peers about agriculture science, beekeeping and animal care. I started the program when I realized many people don’t understand the importance of agriculture in our society and to our economy.

At National FFA, the next generation is here. With 650,000+ members and growing, our students represent the future of agriculture. Our focus on innovation and our unrivaled experiential learning model make FFA the premier youth leadership development organization.

FFA – probably the most influential organization of my entire life. While I was still in grade school, my future FFA advisor, Dan Bock, came to visit me and my parents.

A new USDA study shows that for every dollar Americans spend on food, only 7.8 cents goes to farmers, their lowest share since 1993. Another important metric: For the first time, over half of all consumer food dollars are spent at restaurants.

The food and agriculture industry plays an essential role in our daily lives, economy and national security. Investing in agricultural research ensures we have the safest and highest quality of food that is grown in an environmentally and sustainable way.

Created in the 2014 Farm Bill, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds unique public-private partnerships to support innovative science to address today’s food and agriculture challenges. To date, FFAR and its co-funders have invested $189 million.

Building a better McDonald’s starts with our food. We’re committed to working with suppliers and industry organizations to create frameworks for continuous improvement across America’s diverse climates and production systems.