Farmers looking out for farmers

I am proud and happy to be part of one of the greatest industries with such a vast and welcoming community. One of the things I appreciate most about agriculture is that no matter where you travel in the world, you can find a fellow farmer, and when you do, there is an instant connection. There is always something to talk about, whether it is the weather, markets, equipment, crops, or simply the challenges that come with farming. We can commiserate over the things that didn’t go right, celebrate the things that did, and share stories that only another farmer would truly understand.

You can find a farmer in a small local community or in the middle of a major city anywhere around the globe, and chances are, you will have something in common. That is what makes agriculture so special. We may farm different crops, use different equipment, and live thousands of miles apart, but the connection is the same. We are all part of something bigger than ourselves, a worldwide agricultural community that understands the hard work, the uncertainty, the rewards, and the pride that comes with feeding the world.

I was reminded of that last month while I was in Iowa. I had the opportunity to meet with several corn and soybean farmers, and as we talked, it became pretty clear that farmers across the country are dealing with many of the same concerns. Low commodity prices, high fertilizer and fuel costs, labor challenges, and uncertainty about what the future holds for our family farms are issues that cross state lines and crop types.

But what makes me especially proud to be part of this community is that, despite all those challenges, farmers still look out for one another. We have a long history of helping a neighbor in need or lending a hand to a fellow farmer. Sometimes that means lending equipment, helping get a crop harvested, fixing a piece of machinery, or simply showing up when someone needs help. And there are countless stories of entire communities coming together to help a farm family through a difficult time.

That willingness to help is something special. No matter what we farm or where we farm, when a fellow farmer needs help, we come together. It is one of the things that makes agriculture more than just an industry. It is a community built on hard work, trust, and a willingness to help one another. No matter where we farm or what we raise, at the end of the day, we are all farmers, and that connection reaches far beyond our own fields.

This is why I am so proud to represent every wheat farmer across the state of Washington. It is also why, almost every day, I am reminded of the words from Paul Harvey’s famous speech, “So God Made a Farmer.” When Harvey described the farmer as the caretaker of God’s creation, he captured something that goes far beyond simply growing a crop. Farmers are caretakers of the land, providers for our families and communities, and stewards of an industry that feeds people around the world.