ECONOMIC LEAKAGE

Rural America is struggling! Towns are drying up! Young people are moving out!

Businesses are closing! The future is bleak! Schools are consolidating!

WHY?

One of the reasons is economic leakage.

The farmers share of consumers dollar is shrinking. On average, the farmer receives 10.15¢ on every food dollar. If that's not bad enough, now the model is being a contract grower. Little or no risk, but in reality little income with excessive risk.

POKING THE BEAR

Several years ago, I was on a conference call about the role farmers could play in providing renewable fuels. One of the participants on the call said, "David, you don't understand, all the smart people live within 50 miles of salt water."

NOW I'M PISSED

Farmers own the land, farmers grow the crops, farmers care for the livestock, farmers pay the taxes, farmers pay the freight both ways. Farmers get 10¢ or 15¢ on every food dollar.

SADLY

As much as I didn't like his comment, "all the smart people live within 50 miles os Salt Water.", he is correct.

We as farmers need to work together and find solutions.

April 2026