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Rural America is the backbone of our country. We depend on the food, fiber and fuel produced in rural communities every day. And the success of rural America, home to these vital economic sectors, depends upon quality infrastructure. 

As a 5th generation farm kid, Max Mielke wore Carhartts, not cufflinks. He grew up swathing and bailing hay, driving combines and semi-trucks, and herding cattle on horseback in places that four wheelers just won’t go. When he headed off to college, Max knew that he wanted to prepare for a career in agriculture. He had the knowledge of farming and ranching, but he lacked other skills he would need in an off-the-farm job. That’s when Max discovered Agriculture Future of America (AFA). 

Responding to teachers and the agricultural community, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated a task force on agricultural literacy in 1981. The group recommended that the USDA coordinate national agriculture literacy by sponsoring regional meetings during which the states would create their own programs, they later became known as Ag in the Classroom (AITC).  

When you think about the “city that never sleeps,” agriculture is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. You may be surprised to learn that New York City is home to more than 50 farmers markets selling fresh food grown by more than 250 local producers. Farm Credit is helping these farm businesses succeed through a new partnership with local nonprofit GrowNYC.

On the farm, if something needs doing, someone steps up and does it. Farm kids grow up feeding hogs as soon as they can walk and driving tractors long before they have state-issued driving permits. Women, historically, cook meals, care for the house and the kids and frequently manage finances, all while helping with those never-ending farm chores. Today, many women are the principal operator of their farm, responsible for all of the daily management decisions. Everyone steps up where they can. This same mentality inspired the creation of American Agri-Women, a coalition of women united for agriculture. 

While the role of women in agriculture is changing rapidly, some women continue to face challenges as they navigate careers in farming, ranching and agribusiness. American Agri-Women and its affiliate organizations (hereby referred to as Agri-Women) provide women the opportunity to make their voices heard in agriculture and learn valuable leadership skills in the company of their peers.

Currently, farmers face a multitude of overlapping hurdles that range from international trade wars, a partial government shutdown, multiple years of low commodity prices and consecutive natural disasters. To help policymakers understand the landscape, three Farm Credit CEOs came to Washington, D.C., to offer an on-the-ground perspective.