Over the past year our nation has begun a slow recovery from the tough economic times facing our country, but one sector of the economy continues to drive the American comeback: agriculture.  American farmers fuel billions of dollars into our nation’s economic engine every year. Locally, the sugar industry alone contributes over $2 billion per year to the state’s economy. These dollars are generated much in part from the hard work and ingenuity of the vibrant and diverse South Louisiana agricultural community. As we celebrate the role of agriculture in the American economy, we must not forget the positive impact the USDA has made over the 150 years of its existence.

The USDA provides valuable research and development (R&D) funding keeping America on the cutting edge of agricultural technology and genetics while helping to increase crop yields and nutritional value.  In South Louisiana, the LSU AgCenter is one of the nation’s premier agriculture research institutions, including the Rice Research Station in Crowley and the Iberia Research Station in our backyard of Jeanerette. For over 95 years, these facilities have focused on varietal improvement as well as more efficient farming practices helping make the United States a powerhouse agricultural producer worldwide. It’s no secret, this part of Acadiana is known internationally for its sugar production.

The USDA has served as the face of American compassion and strength abroad, through its Food for Peace initiative. For over 50 years, this program, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development, has purchased surplus commodities from American producers to provide food and resource aid to disaster-ridden countries, such as during the earthquake in Haiti. By building coalitions abroad with countries in need, our nation truly embodies President Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill” mantra, making America a global force for good.

As our nation continues working toward an economic recovery, the importance of the agricultural sector cannot be diminished.  Today as we commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the United States of Agriculture, we remember we must support and defend American agriculture’s ability to create jobs and bring prosperity back to the United States. 

The original submission ran in the print edition of the Daily Iberian (New Iberia, LA) on May 16, 2012.