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Texas
Agriculture Archive
April 4, 2003
Food paves the path to peace
War's aftermath can show the best of America...
By
Kenneth Dierschke
President
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Agriculture goes to press at an unsettling time for our nation. America is on a war footing and all of us should stand behind our president. It could well be a time of sacrifice for many. The farm and ranch families of Texas will be ready to do what is needed in these troubling days.
Farmers and ranchers, and their families, are among those carrying freedom's fight into Iraq. Others remain here at home to do the less visible, but essential tasks that America counts on us to do.
I am personally aware and appreciative of some in our Farm Bureau family who have loved ones taking up arms in defense of liberty. We will not intrude on their privacy by naming them here, but we will pray for their safety and success. We share the pride their families must feel.
In what is hopefully a short war, the smoke of battle will inevitably clear on an uncertain future. What we hope for is that the sounds of war will soon be replaced by the rumble of trucks and planes carrying the great gift of peace—food—to the people of Iraq. If a war must be fought, then surely this is the way—the destruction of modern battle, followed by freedom and food for an oppressed people.
At such a time as this, the many differences we have on points of policy seem less significant, but there is a danger in that. One of the responsibilities we have as a farm organization is to make sure that our food production capacity remains capable of feeding the newly liberated, our armies in the field and our own people.
Our diligence in support of this goal takes many forms. The many components of our official homeland security must work together in a spirit of cooperation. Farmers and ranchers must pay attention to events on and near their property. We must be alert for people and things that seem out of place. We do not know the form the next terrorist attack will take, or the targets, but we must plan for it, and be ready to respond.
Finally, we have to continue to work for policy that will enable farmers and ranchers to produce the food and fiber that America needs.
History shows us that fighting sometimes cannot be avoided and that wars often bring out the worst in people. The silver lining in this dark cloud is simply this—the aftermath of a war can show us the best of America, and all mankind.
We hope this war results in a safer and more peaceful world. All of us should pray that our sons, daughters, fathers and mothers in the American armed forces return safely and soon, with the job done.
