Hi Jill,
First let me thank you for taking time to email me with your thoughts.
Based on your comments you seem to believe that agriculture practices are harming the environment and animals. I would counter by saying there is a lot of research and data that says otherwise. I don't necessarily think the primary motive of some of these groups is hatred. I think many of them have agendas they may believe are in everyone's best interests but seem to overlook some of the facts if they don't agree with them.
Many so called animal welfare groups have an anti animal agriculture agenda. That is different than trying to improve conditions for animals. Many of them have stated they want the livestock industry shut down and for people to stop eating meat. Some of them are engaged in terrorist acts of violence against producers and researchers. To me that seems more like hate than anything I see or hear coming from people in agriculture.
Taxing and regulating farming without conclusive scientific evidence hardly seems fair to me. You say you love eating the food produced by farmers but do you realize if some of these bans, regulations and taxes are implemented, more and more food producers will be driven out of business and we will have to rely on other countries for a greater share of our food supply.
I realize everyone doesn't support ethanol like I do. As I've often said, ethanol is not perfect nor does it solve all problems. I know several farmers who don't support ethanol so I certainly don't consider them to be anti farmer. However, I don't understand not wanting to support a domestic industry that creates jobs and lessens our dependence on foreign oil.
I believe most farmers are concerned about the environment. As you mentioned they depend on the climate for their living. Agricultural practices are more conservation driven and environmentally friendly than ever before. Why should they be penalized for doing a good job? Farmers are asked to produce more but on less land. Malls, subdivisions and factories on what was once corn or bean fields contribute as much or more to climate change than does farming.
I don't think you hate farmers but saying you support them while taking positions that would force them out of business doesn't make sense to me. Following that path, eventually there won't be any farmers left to support. That is something I would hate.
Thanks again for listening and for your thoughts.
I'm grateful to him for his thoughtful response - even if I disagree with many of his views.
