It must be getting close to election time, for the “farmers” are coming out of the woodwork. It’s a phenomenon that happens every two years – people running for office who fill the airways, newsprint and signage, touting their “agricultural” roots.
Please don’t misunderstand; I’m happy that all the surveys, research and focus-group responses that these candidates have purchased indicate that a connection to “farming” will make the voters much more likely to support a particular candidate. I’m proud that farmers, as a group, have such a high standing amongst our populace in relation to honesty, hard work and integrity. It just amazes me, however, that the only time most politicians show any interest in agriculture is when they want to portray themselves as “farmers” during election time.
I’ve often wondered how we, as farmers, have continued to keep our image so virtuous that the vast majority of the population views us as “pure.” The only plausible answer I can come up with is this: It’s pretty hard to get the reputation that we ever cheat anyone since the prices we get for our products are always set by the BUYER. The price farmers get for milk is set by the company or co-op that buys the milk. The price farmers get for cattle, hogs, sheep or goats is determined by the buyers at the auction. The price farmers get for grain is set by the grain-buying entities around each state. Oh, sure, there are always a few dairy farmers that bottle and sell their own milk and a few livestock producers that sell their own processed meat, but 95 percent of our products are sold to buyers that tell us how much they’re going to give. With that fact in mind, everyone should think we’re as pure as a driven snow. But, back to politics…
Some of the ads I’ve seen in this election cycle have really been stretching it to make that farm connection. There’s been one or two that are actual farmers, but the majority are the sons, daughters or grandchildren of farmers. One I’ve noticed even proclaims that he “spent every summer living and working on his great uncle’s farm and has a great respect and admiration for the hard work it takes to till the soil.” Come on, does anyone really believe that this Ivy-league graduate ever castrated a sheep with his teeth? I swear, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear one come out with a biography that states his or her dedication to agriculture because their “great-grandfather’s half-brother once owned a horse.”
And even those that purport to have “grown up on a farm” are suspect to me. I once asked a girl out in college, because I had heard from reliable sources that her father was a wealthy farmer in North Missouri. Supposedly, he owned a couple thousand acres of prime farm land. Since the girl was attractive as well, I gave it my best shot. On our first date, I tried to impress her with my knowledge of farming, but quickly realized this girl wouldn’t know the difference between a soybean and a pinto bean. She had never driven a tractor in her life and had no appreciation or respect for what her dad did for a living. I wouldn’t have taken her out the second time even if she had said yes. So, just because a candidate states that he grew up on a farm, doesn’t necessarily mean he knows the value of teats on a boar hog.
I know there are some good candidates out there who really do share the same common characteristics with those of the idealized “farmer.” I wish them good luck and I hope they go to the state house or Washington D.C. and make a positive difference. Lord knows we need good people in high places. But for those who are posing as farmers to get a few votes because the “image” makes them look good, I hope the voters can see through you like a good stockman can see through a fancy clip job on a plain steer at the county fair.
And, lest any of you doubt my observations in this column, let me just say this… Trust me, I’m a farmer.
Jerry Crownover is a farmer and former professor of Agriculture Education at Missouri State University. He is a native of Baxter County, Arkansas, and an author and professional speaker. To contact Jerry call 1-866-532-1960 or visit www.ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
