PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Richard Schmidt

This year for my birthday I received a fascinating book from my wife, Patty, "Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation" by Andrea Wulf. This was a special gift for me because I have always been passionate about American History and in particular the events that led up to the founding of our nation. But what made it more special was the fact that it was about our founding father's love for an occupation that I have grown to love myself.

This book talks about how Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison not only operated farms but also believed that agriculture was the noblest occupation and the foundation of our democracy. All loved to talk about it, write about it, and spend leisure time (between building a nation) inspecting local farms while tending their own farms.

In her Prologue, author Andrea Wulf states, "The founding fathers' passion for nature, plants, gardens and agriculture is woven deeply into the fabric of America and aligned with their political thought, both reflecting and influencing it. In fact, I believe, it's impossible to understand the making of America without looking at the founding fathers as farmers and gardeners."

Our association, United Agribusiness League exists to support agriculture - the largest industry in California. As President of the League I'm concerned. I see agriculture being attacked from all directions. Regulation of the agricultural industry is at an all-time high. Laws and regulations designed to "protect" the environment and consumers are strangling our industry.

Now concerns about secure borders and illegal immigration impair our ability to have an ample workforce to harvest our crops. These regulations are conceived in a vacuum by bureaucrats in Sacramento and Washington D.C. far removed from the agricultural fields. As a nation, we now rely on imports for manufactured products and energy. Will we also become a nation that imports its food?

Last month, UAL Chairman Paul Powel, UABT Chairman Allan Teixeira, Consultant Mike Stoker, Consultant Frank Caterinicchio, Executive Vice President Clare Einsmann and I traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with Senators, Congressmen and regulatory agencies to discuss the most important issues facing agriculture today.

It has been a number of years since I last visited the Capitol, so it was a moving experience. This is the "Home Office" of the incredible nation in which we are privileged to live. However, what I see is a government focused on urban America with very little regard for rural America and, in particular, the agricultural community that feeds our nation.

Next month, UAL will travel to Sacramento to meet with state senators, assembly members and regulatory agencies. The agricultural industry is under-represented in Sacramento just as it is in Washington D. C. It is time for all of us to recognize that unlike our founding fathers, those who legislate and regulate are far removed from the agricultural community.

Some of you are represented by legislators that come from the farming community. But for those who are not properly represented, it will be necessary to become more involved. While in Washington, the UAL team found that those who make our laws are willing to listen.

Many of them recognize the significant impact agriculture has on our economy. But many do not. Our founding fathers were farmers and it is that background that influenced them in the work they did in service to our young nation. A great deal of education is needed. United Agribusiness League is here to support the needs of the agricultural community both now and for the future.

Recently, we awarded over $72,000 in scholarships to students of members both in high school and college. Our students need to be encouraged to earned degrees in agriculture for it is among these young people that tomorrow's leaders will emerge.

We have also launched a major campaign to expand our membership base while forming closer bonds with the other agricultural trade associations. We know that this will further empower us to bring about positive changes that will encourage growth in our industry and maintain our domestic food supply.

UAL's mission is "to unite agribusiness by providing members with economic solutions, benefits and services".
I encourage members to contact me with their concerns along with suggestions of how UAL can better serve you, our members. We proudly look forward to serving you in a way that will continue a strong legacy well into the future.