AgriPOWER Class VI Session 3: Washington, DC

View of the US Capitol from the roof of the AFBF Headquarters

The long anticipated trip to Washington, DC finally happened!  AgriPOWER Class VI traveled to Washington last week.  We left wondering what we would learn about American Agriculture, and we returned wondering what we can contribute to American Agriculture at the federal level.

Our first stop was a visit to the American Farm Bureau Federation headquarters, just off of Capitol Hill.  We were immediately briefed on several issues currently affecting the AFBF: EPE Regulation, Tax Reform, Big Data, and the Farm Bill Implementation.  We also participated in a (fun!) interactive Legislative Budgeting Workshop.  I say fun because we were separated into groups in which we debated various cuts or additions that needed to be made to the federal budget.  Too often as Americans we like to play sideline quarter back and second guess all of the calls that our federal legislature makes, but being asked to make those same decisions ourselves brought a whole new understanding to the process.  It really is not as easy as most Americans think to balance our federal budget.  A brief tour of the AFBF offices followed the budgeting workshop.

America's House - the White House

That evening, after a delicious meal at Fogo de Chao, members of our class were treated to a night tour of Washington, DC.  Our guide took us to the front gates of the White House, where a protest was underway.  Not to be deterred, our group waded through the crowds to take some spectacular night pictures of America's house.

WWII Memorial at night

We then travelled to the National Mall.  Our first stop on the Mall was at the World War II Memorial, a testament to America's Greatest Generation.  My grandfather served in the Pacific Theater during WWII, and I am moved to tears every time I think about his heroism.  In my mind, anyone who has served in the US Armed Forces is a hero!  In 2009 my grandfather was honored to travel to Washington, DC as a part of an HONOR FLIGHT from Nebraska.  The mood at the WWII Memorial was one of awe and reverence.  I will be forever thankful for the Americans who stood and defended their country all of those years ago.

Vietnam War Memorial

There we went to the Vietnam Memorial.  We learned about Sharon Lane of Ohio, one of eight nurses who died during the Vietnam War.  We stopped and said a silent prayer in her remembrance.  It is truly humbling to think about those who gave their lives for America.  But, how many times do we stop and remember those who went to Vietnam to care for the injured?  I am very grateful that our tour guide took the time to show us Sharon Lane's name and share her story.

From the Vitenam Wall, we walked over to the Lincoln Memorial.  As we were approaching the memorial, my oldest daughter texted me, begging me for a picture of her favorite president, Abraham Lincoln.  I, ever the good mom, was happy to oblige.  It thrills me that my daughters share my fascination with history!  Standing in a monument dedicated to a man who gave his life in service as president of the United States, I truly was humbled.  An ordinary man from an ordinary family in an ordinary state grew up to be quite an extraordinary president!  What a country that we live in where even those with the least can give us the most!  And, the Lincoln Memorial gives us even more to marvel at, the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Korean War Memorial

We soon left the Lincoln Memorial to walk over to there Korean War Memorial.  This is yet another testament to the fortitude of the American Soldier.  Men and boys who had just returned home from WWII were called upon to defend people they did not know about in a country that they had no idea existed.  Yet, once again, our soldiers went were they were called to defend freedom.

The Reflecting Pool and National Mall

It is important to remember that our night tour of Washington, DC took place on the eve of September 11, 2014 - the even of the twelve year anniversary of a series very tragic terrorist attacks on American soil.  How blessed I felt to be standing in our nation's capitol on such an occasion, being reminded that America was and still is a great nation!

Rep. Bob Gibbs R-OH

Many of our briefings on Thursday morning were cancelled due to a current terror threat to the United States.  However, Rep. Bob Gibbs of Ohio made it a point to speak with our group.  And, he was with us as the chimes tolled at 8:46 AM, and we all bowed our heads in remembrance of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks of 2001.  Rep. Gibbs also took time to share with us his view on the current issues facing Ohio agriculture.  From water quality to the need for a new farm bill, Rep. Gibbs truly cares about both the Ohio Farmer and the American Farmer.  On a side note, Rep. Gibbs once served as the Ohio Farm Bureau's state president!

The European Union Embassy

We then left for the European Union's Embassy.  While there we learned how the United States and the European Union work together in world markets.  We learned what European exports are important to the United States, and we learned what imports the European Union values from the United States.  We were informed that the European Union is placing an emphasis on "green" products, products that are not harmful to our environment.  An important number to think about is the $19.5 Billion in agriculture goods that the EU exported to the United States in 2012.  This number continues to grow!  On the other hand, $10.9 Billion in agriculture goods were exported by the US to the EU in 2012.  There is room for growth in the US exports as the EU population continues to grow!  This is great news for the American Farmer!  An important arrangement between the US and the EU is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP.  This is helping to diversify both imports and exports on both sides of the Atlantic, adding more jobs and growth to both American and European agriculture.

AgriPOWER Class VI on Capitol Hill

After we left the European Union Embassy, we returned to Capitol Hill for a tour of the US Capitol Building.  For me, ever the history nerd, this was one of the most anticipated parts of our trip.  However, due to the post-9/11 world we live in today and the fact that there were renovations taking place, our tour was very limited.  I am hopeful that I can return at some point in the future for a more in depth tour.

After our tour of the Capitol, we walked to the Russell Senate Office Building where we met with fellow Ohioan, Joe Schultz.  Joe is the current Chief Economist for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.  He was able to brief us on the complexities of writing and enforcing a Farm Bill.  And, as an Ohio farmer, he was able to recognize the HUGE need for a comprehensive farm bill.  As a Washington insider, he was able to tell us how the bill would be introduced and the time frame for implementation.  He also shared with us that the effort would have to be bi-partisan to pass.  His comments were greatly appreciated by our OFBF AgriPOWER group!

Clydes of Georgetown

That evening we dined at Clyde's in Georgetown.  This is a place known for it's unique presentation of classic American dishes.  It also featured a quirky collection of American memorabilia items decorating the walls.  After dinner, we were free to roam the streets of Georgetown.  Many of us chose to head to Georgetown Cupcakes, a shop featured on the TLC hit reality show DC Cupcakes.  The line was long, but in the end we all found a cupcake or two to satisfy our sweet tooths!

USDA - Whitten Building

The next morning, we stopped at the United States Department of Agriculture before we left Washington, DC.  It was interesting to learn that the USDA is the only cabinet department to have buildings on the National Mall.  This is a testament to the importance of agriculture to the United States.

Dr. Gregory Parham

While there we had the privilege of visiting with the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Gregory Parham (who is also from Ohio!).  It was good to talk with another person who has an intimate knowledge of Ohio agriculture, therefore can talk about national agriculture issues and how they relate to Ohio.  He answered many questions, including how the USDA field office sites work.  He also discussed the possible implementation of any prospective farm bills.

Levin Flake, USDA Economist

While at the USDA, we also talked with Levin Flake, a foreign trade economist for the USDA.   He has spent time on the job in many countries, working to strengthen the perception of American products in foreign markets.  He has been in many European nations.  He has also spent time in field offices in Africa.  Often he spends time helping local governments realize the positive impacts that American agriculture can have on local economies.

All in all, I believe our AgriPOWER class learned a lot about how Ohio and American Agriculture impact the world economy.  I know this trip has encouraged me to become more vocal on issues that are facing Ohio farmers today.