During yesterday’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Altoona, we got to hear about the latest things affecting agriculture and the biofuels industry. We looked out at the horizon of sustainable aviation fuels and the part homegrown products can play in that new marketplace. We also talked about the challenges faced and have been overcome. We also heard about those challenges still yet to be faced.
However, one thing that stuck with me, and I think, resonated with attendees was in part of the remarks made by United States Agriculture Secretary and Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. He pointed out one challenge we face; a challenge that was predicted over 40 years ago. It is the challenge of the loss of small and medium-sized farms, and the loss of farmland in general.
Secretary Vilsack said that there should be room in this industry for producers of all sizes to make a living. There should be a family business for the next generation to come home to. He added that he didn’t think the continued loss of farms in this country should be the status quo. He hinted that he had a feeling that many in the room felt the same way.
Here are the Secretary’s remarks on that topic.
