A Missouri Farm Bureau survey brings to life many of the hidden effects of COVID-19 on farmers and rural communities. While the on-farm impacts have been dramatic, the personal effects are even more painful to read:

“I have not seen my first grandchild yet.”

“My daughter didn’t get to get married like she planned.”

“I’m lonely and miss my friends.”

Many respondents expressed feelings of isolation, loneliness and even depression. Inability to attend church and fellowship with friends has had a big impact on rural life. Although there were many differing opinions, over 63 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they take COVID-19 seriously.

Several people were upset by disruptions of normal social activities.

“Not being able to gather is really hard. A graduation, a wedding and even a funeral have been disrupted,”

said one. Another respondent described similar heart-wrenching situations.

“I wasn’t able to visit my daughter in the hospital. My son missed his junior prom, and we won’t get to see him graduate from his US Army basic training in a couple months.”

The agricultural effects have been severe as well. Nearly one-quarter of livestock farmers surveyed (23.5 percent) have had a meat processor reduce the normal schedule of animals they deliver for processing. The same percentage have had to locate an alternate processing facility for animals.

The economic shutdown made it difficult for many farmers to do their jobs. One out of every eight farmers said they had experienced disruptions getting equipment. Many more expressed frustration in finding parts.

At the beginning of the shutdown, Congress and the Trump administration moved quickly to provide help to businesses. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created to help businesses stay afloat through the shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture formed the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide specific support to farmers across the country.

Unfortunately, many farmers did not apply for PPP. Our survey found that only 13.4 percent of farmers received support through the program. Livestock producers had an especially hard time qualifying, as only 4.9 percent of farmers who only raise livestock received help.

The CFAP program is much better targeted to help farmers. At the time of the survey, 58 percent of livestock farmers planned to apply for CFAP funds, and just over 50 percent of all farmers.

As Congress debates further COVID-19 aid, respondents had many different requests. Livestock producers suggested more investigation into meatpacker consolidation and pricing issues. Missouri Farm Bureau strongly supports this request. Numerous respondents also suggested stronger provisions to protect family farms, more equitable price support for grain and livestock, support for ethanol and biodiesel and incentives for more meat processing plants.

The survey was completed by 377 people, about three-quarters of whom are farmers and 95 percent of whom are Missouri Farm Bureau members. Responses were solicited from MOFB newsletter subscribers and collected during the second week of June.

Source: Missouri Farm Bureau

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We feature below some of the most important sentences of the letter to the White house :

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of safety and stability provided by domestic food production. As this crisis has pointed out, a stable domestic food supply is essential and of national security interest. For farmers and ranchers to survive, and for food to continue to be produced here in the American West, a stable water supply is a necessary part of any conversation about our national food security.

President Trump has stated his belief that renewed efforts to meet the systemic infrastructure demands of the nation will be an important step in combating the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

   We strongly agree. In particular, we urge you to advance critically needed investments that address the shortcomings of our aging Western water infrastructure.

Existing water infrastructure in the West needs rehabilitation and improvement. Most of the federally funded water infrastructure projects that benefit the large cities, rural communities and small farms in the West were built more than 50 years ago. As hydrological conditions in the West change and populations continue to expand, failure to address water security has become increasingly critical.

Failing to improve water infrastructure and develop supplies will inevitably result in additional conflict as pressure grows to ‘solve’ urban and environmental water shortages. Moving water away from Western irrigated agriculture will surely contribute to the decline of our national food security.

The coalition letters—spearheaded by the California Farm Bureau Federation, Family Farm Alliance and Western Growers—emphasize that water conservation, water recycling, watershed management, conveyance, desalination, water transfers, groundwater storage and surface storage are all needed in a diversified management portfolio

If and when additional infrastructure funding is discussed as part of a larger economic stimulus package, we need your help to ensure that federal dollars flow to the water infrastructure needs mentioned above. .

Source: California Farm Bureau Federation

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In the Campus & Career special feature at Agritechnica 2019, the event organiser, DLG (German Agricultural Society), and its partners will be presenting a comprehensive information and advice programme relating to professional careers in agriculture and agribusiness. About 60 exhibitors are expected to be involved in the initiative in Hall 21, which will be part of the world’s leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, taking place at Hanover, Germany, from the 10th to 16th November 2019.

In the “Career” section, visitors can make contact with recruiting companies, obtain information from personnel consultants and learn more about training and further education opportunities. Information events organised by the Young DLG and a special technical programme on Young Farmers Day will help ensure a complete range of professional and vocational orientation opportunities. In the “Campus” area, meanwhile, colleges and universities, as well as research institutes, will present some of the projects they are working on.

As the meeting point for global agricultural technology, Agritechnica’s Campus & Career special feature has developed into a network and job exchange for the next generation of entrants to agriculture and agribusiness. At Hanover, the DLG and partners will be presenting the following special information offers:

• Job Dating: On the Agritechnica website, Campus & Career job seekers get information about potential employers and the area of expertise in which they are currently looking for employees. The companies can be contacted directly to arrange appointments.
• New this year are “Campus & Career Guided Tours” to help visitors find the right employer. Based on the interests of the participants, different groups will be formed and matched with companies.
• Career Mile: On 14th and 15th November, the Career Mile opens with a selection of attractive job offers. This will complement the extensive range of opportunities that will be available on all days of the fair.
• Job wall: Job, internship or dual study? Current vacancies with Agritechnica exhibitors will also be displayed on the job wall in the Campus & Career area.

DLG career counselling

The DLG’s career counselling service (available in German only) offers young DLG members the opportunity to take part in a one-to-one information or consultation session with an experienced DLG coach. Registrations will be accepted in advance via the online appointment section on the Agritechnica website. There is also the possibility of obtaining feedback on their CV and cover letter which means job seekers can receive suggestions and information to help them produce a professionally presented job application. This service is available in German.

Young DLG and Young Farmers Day

The Campus & Career area is for job seekers at all stages of their career, but there is a particular focus on young people who represent the future of agriculture and agribusiness. The Young DLG’s stand (Hall 21, B26) will once be the central meeting point for the next generation of agricultural workers.

This focus will be at its strongest on 14th November 2019 when young farmers and junior agricultural workers come together at in Hanover for Agritechnica’s Young Farmers Day. This offers an attractive technical programme with information and discussion forums, as well as plenty of space for a personal exchange of experiences.

Starting at 10:00 on the DLG stage on 14th November, the young DLG will be present a specialist programme on topics relating to career entry and career opportunities in the agricultural sector. The Young Farmers Congress will then take place from 16:00, with participating young farmers from across the world. As always, the highlight of the Young Farmers Day will be the Young Farmers Party, which this year opens its doors at the earlier time of 18:30 in the TUI Arena.

Information from universities and research institutions

In the campus area of Campus & Career at Agritechnica 2019, numerous colleges and universities, as well as research institutes, will again be represented. Visitors will be able to engage in one-to-one discussions with both students and lecturers about study courses related to agriculture and agribusiness, while insights will also be available into the current projects being carried out by academic institutions and research organisations.

Source: Agritechnica

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