Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has only been in Congress for a couple months. But she’s already made quite a ruckus. And it seems like farmers keep getting dragged into the controversy.
It happened again when this video of AOC discussing cows and methane came out (note: I’m embeding this tweet because this is the one I saw repeatedly, not because I know and support the tweeter):
So I’ll be blunt: I’m fairly certain that she doesn’t actually know that much about agriculture. At least that’s how she comes across in the (albeit short) clip. She stutters a bit, tries to make a reference to corn, and then throws out the trendy “regenerative ag” label.
Nor have I ever seen her give any specifics about agriculture. The Green New Deal was fairly vague and only referenced “sustainable farming.” My digging hasn’t revealed anything specific either. So again I don’t think AOC really has a good handle on modern agriculture.
And I don’t necessarily say that as a criticism. I totally get why a girl from New York City doesn’t know much about farming. Why would she? She doesn’t really know how food is produced. And that’s okay as long as she’s willing to admit that. Is she? I’m not so sure.
Let’s assume she’s willing to learn. What do I want her to know? Well, I suggest AOC meet with actual farmers on their farms. And not just farmers who meet some random sustainability definition. She should tour the country meeting family farms growing everything from corn to hogs and flowers. Learn, learn, and learn some more.
But I also want her to know that the story of American agriculture is about innovation, reinvention, and progress. Today, the average farmer feeds 165 people. In 1960, the average farmer fed only 26 people. And we’ve managed to do that while decreasing the amount of inputs (water, fertilizer, etc.) we need. We’re more productive and efficient than ever. We’ve come a long way in the last 60 years, and all indications are we’re going to get better.
Could we do better? Of course. Humans are always progressing. And agriculture is no different. Just like we’ve advanced over the last century, I have no doubt we will continue to advance over the next 100 years.
But let’s start the conversation with that idea in mind. We don’t need a “solution” for agriculture. Instead, we should look to agriculture as a model for how an industry can adapt, improve, and move into the future.
You are so correct. I’m less than eloquent myself, but you have right idea!
I find it amusing that she says “change our grain”. What I heard in that phrase was “modify a grain so cows don’t produce as much gas.” It almost sounded like she’s supporting GMOs??
Point on, Ann!
She has no clue, she is just using Buzz words to make it sound like she knows what she is talking about. Her green deal would bankrup the country, tear down historic buildings, as well as tearing everything apart that doesn’t meet her ridiculous specific guideline
Yes guideline she has no clue if construction, farming, sustainable energy and what to do to make it. I have listen to numerous videos if her rantings. She really has nothing to say, repeating herself, fumbling with buzz words, or tangents of sentences that gave no probative value of any ideas that would even be suggested. But ppl voted her in they really should replay her speeches and listen, clearly listen what is she trying to say? Where is her solution of suggestions that have any concrete ideas to promote? She has nothing it’s embarrassing to say she’s in Congress.
GMO’s have been around as long as attrizine. Corn had to be modified in order to spray attrizine on it. Corn comes from the grass family and we all know that attrizine is used to kill grasses in corn.
AOC may have seen the documentary about beef feed lots. It was frightening to me to learn that feed lots give cattle corn, which they are not designed to digest, properly. How does a steer cud corn kernals? My Pennsylvania farmers used insilage to feed and fatten beef animals for market. It took more acreage, and the animals weren’t knee-deep in their own waste. Beef sure tasted better, then.
Hi Joan! I’ve never seen that documentary, but it sounds a lot like the other “shockumentaries” out there. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like it was all that accurate. Cows absolutely can eat and digest corn. You can read more about that here. It’s actually pretty incredible how much farmers care about animal health. I’m a softie for animals, so I apprecaite that. And they aren’t walking around in their own waste either. I’m sure that would violate all sorts of regulations. But it also wouldn’t make healthy animals. I suggest that you check out Leah Dorman. She’s a veterinarian that works with farmers!
That’s a crappy farmer if animals are knee deep. As for corn cows need it. As for her buzz words, she’s looking for ppl to say she meant this or that so u r doing her homework for her
Cows can’t digest corn, hmmm? Were you aware that some of the most common insilage is derived from chopped corn? Insilage is merely chopping up the corn stalks and the ears of corn all together and stored in a bunker for winter feeding. Seems you might want to be less like AOC and do your homework.
It appears you and AOC are in agreement. I’m not sure if you’ve read The New Green Deal, but here is an excerpt from the document:
“Working collaboratively with farmers
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and ranchers in the United States to remove
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pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from
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the agricultural sector as much as is techno-
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logically feasible, including—
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(i) by supporting family farming;
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(ii) by investing in sustainable farm-
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ing and land use practices that increase
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soil health; and
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(iii) by building a more sustainable
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food system that ensures universal access
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to healthy food;”
I believe the key here is the phrase “working collaboratively with farmers and ranchers…” As you pointed out, America’s farmers are innovative. I don’t see where the document is throwing stones at farmers or ranchers. It appears to me that she (and others) are identifying practices that contribute to climate change and they want to look for ways to counteract the situation.
I didn’t say the document was throwing stones at farmers. I said that her comments on the video clip suggests that she thinks there’s something wrong with agriculture that needs to be fixed.
Now, in all fairness, the original Green New Deal she released did say things about farting cows. So there’s that…
But the latest release doesn’t define “sustainable” farming. Nor does it specify what she means about collaborating with farmers and ranchers. There are definitely “farmers” and “ranchers” out there that have very differing views of sustainability than I do. So really, the document doesn’t say much of anything regarding agriculture and what she wants to do. That’s why I sought out clarification….and haven’t found it.
I think we absolutely should be improving, not “fixing” things. Farmers are faced with some of the worst adversity in history right now. The government should be empowering family farms and large farms but not placing crippling and impossible demands on them in order for the government to meet their goals. I hope they sincerely attempt to learn and collaborate with all types of farms all across America to make improvements, to protect our land, and to continue to produce higher yields with less resources.
Well we have always had climate change and we always will. I am so sick of hear the same drabble.
I’m not sure which is worse; that she said that, or that an large audience of equally ignorant people actually applauded for it.
Thought the same thing and then I noticed it was MSNBC. But it is scary that the majority of the nation has no idea about agriculture and that we have officials in Washington that know even less and don’t want to take the time to learn.
So, invite her to come visit and learn?
Absolutely! And I saw lots of farmers tweeting invitations over the weekend! I hope she’ll take them up on it.
The techniques and technology for better farming practices are out there, here in the U.S. and out there in other parts of the world (look at Nat Geo’s article about the Netherland’s farming pracrtices, it’s outstanding), and I agree with you about the Green New Deal not being clear about what “innovative change” is, but she is a great voice for those that want change for the better, while still helping those maintain their livelihoods (no throwing out the baby with the bathwater), and because of this passion I believe there is a solution that will help improve agricultural practices in reducing environmental impacts. AOC probably doesn’t understand the agriculture community to the fullest, but I can assume she understands and values working hard to acheive something. I have faith in her to do research, and contact those that understand more than her to make an educated proposal that will benefit society. Change is inevitable, the Kentucky Coal Museum is a perfect example when in 2017 it switched to soalr power to help save money. Now I’m a realist and somethings in the agricultural field will probably never change, like farting cows ;), but I am also hopeful that where there is a chance to improve our Earth we owe it to try.
We actually use some pretty awesome techniques and technology. That’s my point — we’re already doing a really awesome job. Can it be better? Sure. But that doesn’t mean we’re doing anything wrong right now.
And I can appreciate your enthusiasm for AOC and your faith in her. But I’ll admit I’ll never understand the dedicated followers that people like her and Trump have. I guess it’s just not my thing.
I have a few attorney friends and they love to argue semantics every time the spirit of their opinion is exposed. The spirit of this post is to hold up AOC’s well-intentioned plea for unity between AG and Pols, as a testament to her “ignorance”, and I can almost hear the derisive scoff in your subtext.
The autopsies following the 2016 presidential election suggested that Democrats “forgot middle America” and that Trump was a vengeful middle finger from the rural class. “Nobody’s listening to us,” was the refrain.
Then you have a freshman congresswoman out of the bronx — someone who you’d be forgiven for assuming doesn’t give two hoots about flyover states– suggesting that as part of a sweeping Green New Deal, we should consult farmers and address issues on sustainability and environmentalism that affect everyone. And yea, that does include farting cows since they produce so much methane, and methane traps more heat than carbon dioxide, both of which contribute to escalating global climate change.
All that “We” did this, and “We” did that. As if farmers have lived in a literal bubble from US society for the last 54 years. You did it with a little help from the US Department of Agriculture (thanks big Gov), GPS satellites (thanks, NASA), Local Farm Bureaus (thanks small gov), and the ingenuity of private enterprise in the competitive landscape of capitalism (thanks, Wall Street).
I’m sad to see someone who stands to benefit so much from the olive branch AOC offers turning up her nose because, as you say, AG is the model. Let’s take a look at the economic forecast for agricultural commodities, then. From the USDA: https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/91333/aes-107.pdf?v=3730.5
For the short version– AG exports are falling and imports are rising. Tariffs are hurting farmers and beef production is increasing (which will eventually be unsustainable). But god forbid someone with a (D) at the end of their name dare have a conversation with farmers about it.
You’re a true gem, Wes. We’ve never met, never had a conversation, and you’ve obviously never read more than this article. Yet you know all about me: my skills as a lawyer, how I voted, why I voted, why I voted how I voted, what’s important to me, and what I “really” think.
But, actually, you’re really just assuming. And we all know what they say about that…
It’s important to note that AOC is not the author of the GND, it’s actually written by Rhiana Gunn-Wright. Gunn-Wright also has no formal background in agriculture, so it’s not much better. That being said if we are to be reaching out to folks and trying to make counter-points to the GND, it’s important we have our facts right.
The GND isn’t legislation, so I’m not sure what you were trying to find in your research. It’s an idea-path for whatever those are good for. So you won’t find anything saying we will achieve X by doing Y, but more of a set of ideas for how to move forward. So when it says we will collaborate with farmers, that is the language you want to see now. This is literally the opposite of what we saw in the 70’s with Earl Butz, where a handful of large ag executives created policy to fit a national agenda. The progressive movement we see now is being somewhat honest by saying we need to examine all sectors and work within those sectors to try and find solutions that work for all parties involved. It’s encouraging to see conversations happening, rather then policy being enacted.
David, I’m not sure you understood what I meant. AOC wants to “fix” agriculture. But I can’t seem to find what exactly she thinks is wrong with it. That’s pretty important before we talk about policy or legislation or anything else. Surely she must have some ideas on it, so what are they?
Also, I know GND wasn’t legislation (I think I actually included that in the article). But again, speaking generally really doesn’t get us very far. “Fix agriculture” is not a solution, especially when there’s nothing wrong with it right now.
Again, I’m curious to know where she stands and what her views are and whether she’s willing to actually listen and collaborate. Or is she just putting out nice sound generalities?
I think that everyone needs to understand the difference between family farms and corporate farming. Pardon the bun but they are two different animals. There are many small operation farmers who take care of the soil, water, air and their animals. Let’s face the truth, there are many large and corporation size farmers who do not. There is a great need to start taking care of our farming resources in a sustainable, regenerative way and those are not just buzz words.
Sorry, Nora, but that’s not entirely accurate. Did you know that 97% of farms in the United States are family farms? That’s obviously the vast majority. But even family farms can be corporate farms — my family farm is a corporate farm. And as an attorney, I recommend that because there are some very important liability and tax benefits to forming an entity.
Further, I wouldn’t say small farms are good and large farms are bad. Many times large farms can afford to do things that are much better for their farms than small farms can. Not that small farms aren’t doing the best they can, but size doesn’t mean one thing or the other. Further, farms have to be large enough that farmers can actually make money doing it. Just like you and I go to our jobs and expect to put some money in our pockets, farmers need that too. So having 3 acres isn’t going to cut it, while having 3,000 might.
A core part of the sustainability discussion must be for the farmer to make enough money to live on. Otherwise a farm is not at all sustainable. That important piece of the puzzle is often left out of the discussion.
what on earth makes her even remotely think she is a spokesperson for farmers and agriculture???
Here’s a novel idea for AOC the city slicker…. put on your muck boots sister and go get yourself dirty on a farm for a month. Experience what hard work and heartbreak really is when things don’t run smoothly. Take yourself out to Nebraska or Iowa and see first hand the problems and hardship; that is where all the fat cats sitting in Washington D.C. should be putting there interest and concern towards!!! I’m so sick to death of the media NOT giving the needed attention to the plight of these farmers that need help. These are the people who are important right now. The blood, sweat, and tears that have been shed since the middle of March out in the plains states should be all that matters and the politicians should make sure these farmers can wake up and know that it’s going to get better.