LUBBOCK, TX – There’s no difference between how those in rural America and their neighbors in urban cities rate environmental stewardship Robert Bonnie, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, told a group of farmers on Friday. Still, they do differ on how to accomplish the environmental goals.
Speaking virtually to the Texas Ag Forum, Bonnie admitted that farmers and ranchers are, in fact, the original environmentalists but have no patience in having bureaucrats dictate how and what strategies should be used to achieve sustainability.
Under the Obama administration, agriculture balked at the idea of a cap and trade system, he explained because of a lack of trust by producers and landowners in the federal government.
Today’s difference is that agriculture is now at the table and feels like they have input in driving the conversation, Bonnie said.
It will be essential to build things locally, and he concluded that if producers want to participate, they’ll feel comfortable doing.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)