Protecting American workers in the Heartland

This article originally appeared in The Dakota Scout on August 23, 2023. 

American farmers and ranchers are the unsung heroes of our nation, working tirelessly every day to provide the food that sustains us all. They are also the lifeblood of our rural communities and small towns, fostering a way of life that encourages hard work, family values and traditions, and a spirit of service toward one’s neighbors.

Farming and ranching have also always been uniquely challenging. The work is unpredictable and dependent on factors that are outside of anyone’s control. It requires intense labor and long days. And over the last few years, the industry has been hit particularly hard by dysfunctional economic policies, out-of-control inflation, and unnecessary new federal regulations.

Today, industry leaders from South Dakota, neighboring states, and even Washington, D.C., are gathered in Sioux Falls to discuss how to address these challenges at the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit, hosted by South Dakota Trade. One major opportunity to help the industry grow and thrive is to expand access to international markets. To take full advantage of this opportunity, we must start by building a strong workforce, fostering an environment where every business can succeed, and ensuring that even the smallest of businesses can participate in the global marketplace.

Read full op-ed in The Dakota Scout.