As a farmer, I like to think we are great at efficiently raising food in a sustainable manner. Today one U.S. farmer feeds 155 people worldwide. We’re raising 2.5 times more food than we did in 1960, yet people are still going hungry.

“Clean your plate. Kids are starving in Africa,” my mom would say when I was a kid. Today kids are still starving in Africa and around the world. There are many U.S. families that are food insecure. One in eight Iowans is food insecure, meaning they lack the resources to live an active and healthy lifestyle. One out of 5 Iowa children does not have enough food to eat.

Truth is, kids would go to bed hungry even if we increased production another 2.5 times. People are not getting the minimum number of calories needed due to politics and governmental intervention. Every ill these days is getting blamed on politics, and it’s tiring. I know. However, governmental policy undoubtedly influences a society’s wellbeing. That’s why throughout history food has been used to control people and as a tool of war. Food is even used for political gain. Right now food is being used as a political pawn relating to climate change.

Food is being blamed for our obesity problem, although we’re free to make our own food choices. Food is even being blamed for being full of chemicals. (Side bar: In a consumer survey conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation, the number one food safety issue cited by Americans is “chemicals in food.” In 2014, only 23 percent of Americans listed this as the most important food safety issue for them. This percentage increased to 36 percent in 2015, edging out “foodborne illness from bacteria” as the number one food safety concern.”)

How many of the folks who are worried about chemicals in their foods are coffee drinkers? After all, caffeine is a natural pesticide. I’m also curious to know how many of these folks — as well as those who want to label GMOs — regularly drink pop or soda. Did you know a chemical found in many sodas may cause cancer? That’s why it’s contradictory to buy organic produce and then drink Coke or Pepsi products. Besides, buying organic produce doesn’t guarantee it was raised without chemicals including pesticides even though 95 percent of consumers said they buy organic foods because they think their pesticide-free.

It’s a misconception that all chemicals are bad. I recently shared a picture of a banana, listing its chemical make up. There were many big words that I can’t pronounce, yet I don’t fear a banana. Unfortunately, a few activists decided the public should fear banana research.

Iowa State students in February protested research to develop bananas that could combat Vitamin A Deficiency. Dr. James Dale from Queensland University of Technology developed the new banana by transferring a gene from a wild banana from Fiji to the bananas consumed as daily food in Uganda and other parts of Africa. A student, who apparently has sufficient Vitamin A, dressed in a banana costume to protest bananas being developed to provide nutrition to the developing world.

Activist block the progress of developing better foods. They also can cause a delay in foods, like Golden Rice, that could help millions of kids become healthier and live longer. “We don’t have the luxury to rule out the use of any technology that may hold promise to improve crop performance,” says Stephen P. Long, University of Illinois crop scientist, in a recent article in the Iowa Farmer Today entitled, “Scientists say the world is one crop breeding cycle from starvation.”

The greatest strides can be made by giving all people the freedom to develop their potential of economic freedom. Even regulations made for all the right reasons can have very dire consequences. That’s why I’m so concerned about the direction our country is headed. I’m concerned about governmental overreach. I’m concerned about how legislation and regulation will impact my livelihood. I’m also concerned by the amount of FREE stuff that some U.S. presidential candidates are promising.

As we decide on new leadership for our country, let’s take into consideration what made this country great and what will continue to maintain our leadership status. Be an informed citizen and make your vote count!

High school students considering an ag-related career are encouraged to participate in the Soy Scholars program, which is being offered by the Iowa Soybean Association with support from Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. Soy Scholars will launch April 18-19 at the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames, and applications are due May 3.

Four students will be selected to participate in the three-session career emersion, field experience and job shadow program. During the sessions, students will work directly with a mentor in their field of interest to gain hands-on experience, ask questions and make connections.

Soy Scholars will allow students to explore career paths before they graduate high school or declare a college major. That’s why Latham Seeds is proud to help showcase a wide-array of ag-related careers from agricultural production and marketing communications to seed sales and precision farming. Those students selected to participate in this program will get real-world experience. They’ll gain insights about an industry that aren’t readily available online or in a textbook. And just as importantly, these students will meet some of our state’s top agricultural leaders who farm or work in agribusiness.

One out of every five Iowans work in an agriculture- related job, according to a 2014 study. Iowa’s agriculture industry contributes one out of every three dollars in Iowa’s economy, or 33 percent of the total state economy. This sizable contribution offers more than a few opportunities for Iowa youth.

For more information or to apply, visit the ISA booth at the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference or go to www.iasoybeans.com/SoyScholars/.

I love this time of year when everything comes back to life! The grass is greening up, and planting season is underway. My Facebook feed has been filled with photos of new life on farms and ranches across the country. I enjoy seeing newborn calves, lambs and kittens, as well as newly hatched chicks that become “spring chickens.”

While spring is typically the season when new animals are born, new technology allows pigs to be born any time of the year. This wasn’t possible when I was a kid and we raised hogs outside. Then we could only get two litters from our sows. If we were really lucky, we could wean 12 pigs annually from each sow. Today we can get 30 pigs per sow per year due to better genetics, better feed and care, less stress, and different types of hog barns.

We need to raise more pigs – and all types of food – if we’re going to feed the growing world population. I’m all for long-term goals of raising enough food with all the technology that fits the needs of hungry people, and this shared goal is how I started to become involved with the Farm Journal Foundation’s Farm Team to help combat world hunger.

While researching the Farm Team initiative, I came across its logo with an apple that looks like a globe. Underneath it are the words, “Farmers Feeding the World.” Feeding the world is a noble mission! While we might not all agree on how to do that, I believe we can find ways to work together and help the almost one billion people who are food insecure.

Not everyone can be a farmer and grow food, but everyone needs a way to earn enough income to buy a decent diet. This will not be done by eliminating technology and going GMO-free. This will not be done by only raising organic produce or cage-free eggs.

Feeding the world will be done if we take an “all hands on approach” that makes use of every food system available! We must join together to provide a means to the end. My farm is different than my neighbor’s, and our farms here in North Central Iowa are much different than farms in California or even southern Illinois where I have been spending most of my time lately.

People must understand that it’s going to take all types of farms to feed this world. That’s why it’s so important for you to speak out and share your ideas. It takes many solutions to feed the world – and to make it possible for all people to afford their food!

By Kilah Hemesath, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds Marketing Intern

We’re constantly presented with choices, but I didn’t understand the magnitude of my choices until I came to Iowa State University (ISU). There are numerous facets in the agricultural industry and it can be challenging to choose a college major. I chose Agricultural Business because this major offers ample opportunities to tailor it with electives. I really enjoyed choosing electives, but it was the experience I gained through multiple internships that led me down a career path in agricultural marketing.

Many of my peers also have chosen their career paths through involvement in on-campus organizations or internship experiences. Today I’m sharing personal experiences of five ISU students, who will be involved in agriculture but in very different ways.

Many people view popcorn as snack but Garrett Ley of Alleman, Iowa, is passionate about producing it. Upon graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business, he plans to amplify his G-Pop’s popcorn business. G-Pop’s was founded in May, 2014 when he discovered his new passion of entrepreneurship and value-added products for the consumer. Garrett is active on all levels of agriculture, from field to food.

After May 31, you could find Adelai Swanson in Washington, D.C., working for Dow AgroSciences in Government Affairs and Sales. Adelai has always had a passion for agriculture policy. Her degrees in Agricultural Business and Public Relations will help make that dream become reality.

Coming from a farm in West Central Iowa, Kayla Degner knew she wanted to be involved in agriculture. Kayla graduated from Iowa State University in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in in Agricultural Communications and is working at NEW Cooperative Inc. as a Marketing and Communication Assistant. Kayla couldn’t imagine herself doing anything different.

Returning to his family’s farm upon graduating in May is what Brett Roquet describes as living his dream. He explains that he couldn’t see himself doing anything else. Brett and his younger brother raise show pigs. He also raises corn and soybeans with his dad and grandpa.

Because some of her best memories happened when she was growing up on her family’s farm in Monmouth, IL, Jennifer Elliott was active in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She will graduate in May 2016 with a degree in Agricultural Communications. She’s looking forward to when she’ll move to the East Coast and become a Sales and Business Trainee for Smithfield. Jennifer couldn’t be happier than to explore the different career paths offered through Smithfield through her trainee program.

These five stories showcase the various directions students can take in agriculture. From entering the food industry to becoming involved in government affairs, there’s a career suited for all interests!

Even though there is a lot going on with the election cycle and the huge push to find the final
candidates to run for the Presidency, we must stay vigilant to what is going on currently in our state legislatures.

The legislative process is a fascinating process, yet at one time, I couldn’t get far enough away from it! I was under the impression that I couldn’t make a difference – but I was wrong! In fact, I’ve been told that sometimes an experience shared by one constituent can affect a vote.

Elected officials need our input to know how we’ll be affected if certain bills are or are not signed into law. You can write e-mails to them. You can go to town hall meetings. You can even call them on the phone when they are in session. However, I have found that going to the Capitol and meeting with elected officials in person during the legislative session is the most effective way to express my ideas. Attending committee meetings allows one to see how elected officials operate and negotiate. I’ve been able to watch the action from the gallery, and I’ve been invited to sit on the floor right in the midst of all the action! Nothing can replace person contact.

Tomorrow is one of the days that there will be many Farm Bureau members at the statehouse. Actually, any Iowan can visit the statehouse to meet with elected officials on any day that the Legislature is in session. All you have to do is walk to the chamber door to either the House of Representatives or the Senate. You simply fill out a slip to request to talk with a specific official, and then hand that slip of paper to the doorkeeper, who will find out whether the representative or senator is available. If he or she is available, he or she will come to the door and talk with you.

There are many issues discussed daily: taxes, education and other topics that may affect you directly. It’s important that you make your voice heard. I can assure you, someone will be “twisting arms” on any given issue and he or she (or a particular special interest group) may not share your opinion!

Voting for a person who’s running for office is just the beginning of the political process. It’s important that you remain engaged! You might feel comfortable calling on elected officials by yourself, or perhaps you’d be more comfortable joining a group effort through an organization that shares your interests. Either way, grassroots efforts can lead to better representation. The time spent contacting legislators and regulators is an investment – and you just may enjoy the experience!