There are a lot of challenges facing agricultural producers in North America at this time in history, and while a lot of the ones commonly discussed are those that face farmers on the ground, the ones that crossover into government and policy can be just as challenging.
As the farming population shrinks, Sean McCarty, government affairs director at Helena Agri-Enterprises, an agronomic provider of crop inputs, application technology, manufacturing and data solutions in the United States, stresses the importance of having a strong agricultural voice in government—not just for Helena, but for all producers.
With a lot going on currently with the new administration in place in the United States, McCarty says that it has been difficult to have an in-depth conversation about the U.S. Farm Bill, but it remains one of Helena’s top priorities, as they lobby for the future and certainty of farmers.
In this interview with RealAgriculture’s Shaun Haney, the two also discuss the potential effects of tariffs on American farmers, and the complications that come along with a much longer governmental agricultural product approval process.
When it comes to the lens through which McCarty views his role, he says, “for Helena, you know, we exist in rural communities all across the country, and so our issues are their issues. We view ourselves as part of the operation. We make a lot of those decisions at the kitchen counter, sitting with mom, dad, nephews, uncles, we’re all in it together.”
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