John F. Kennedy stated in his Inaugural, January 20, 1961:

"I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath ourforbears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago. The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life." John F. Kennedy continued: "Yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears foughtare still at issue around the globe - The belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God."

Writing to Brazil's President, Janio da Silva Quadros, January 31,1961, John F. Kennedy stated: "Once in every 20 years presidential inaugurations in your country and mine occur within days of each other. This year of 1961 is signalized by the happy coincidence. At this time, each of us assumes challenging duties... To each of us is entrusted the heavy responsibility of guiding the affairs of a democratic nation founded on Christian ideals."

I got thinking about that message and its so very true. Do you suppose our grandparents and great grandparents held the same challenges that we do now? I often wonder what it was like then??

I have to admit that I am breaking one of my self-imposed rules. I am writing about something that I am currently mad about. A wise man once told me not to be mad when you are mad, meaning to always be under control. This, however, is the exception to that rule.

Why is it that the media continues to use the phrase “swine flu” instead of H1N1? I am not sure if it is sloppy journalism or wanting to create sensationalism and get better ratings but it is affecting farmers directly and for me it has gotten personal.

Recently I talked to a friend of mine who is (or was) a swine farmer. He told me he was getting out of the business because of the low pork prices and the fact that he could not make a living or even break even. This is a good, hard-working farmer who has a full-time off-farm job. He often worked late into the night and then was up, well before dawn, taking care of his pigs before he left for his “paying” job.

Last summer he lost a couple of sheds to a storm that came through, this would have been a devastating blow on its own. This was closely followed by commodity prices that rose rapidly last summer in response to the increase in fuel prices and the demand for ethanol. Being a good business man, he contracted his corn and bean meal. However, the corn and soybean markets collapsed this fall, leaving him holding the bag with high priced feed inputs.

The final blow was the H1N1 outbreak (and I use the word outbreak sarcastically) and the media referring to it as the “swine flu.” The hysteria around the news caused an already slumping pork market to fall even harder and forced my friend’s hand. Keep in mind, no hog has ever had H1N1 but that didn’t stop the media from using and continuing to use the term “swine flu.”

I am not telling you this story to generate pity for my friend. Although I find it ironic that in a time that we are bailing out Wall Street and the auto industry from self-made disasters caused by mis-management and greed, that we cannot find a way to support our swine farmers. I would guess he has worked without pay for many years, quite a contrast from the bonuses top executives were paying themselves. Rather, I want to point out how a simple phrase, used carelessly by the media, can wreck the business and dreams of someone who has no control over the situation.

Finally, it is my hope that the media will stop referring to H1N1 as the “swine flu” period. No more, “H1N1 more commonly known as the ‘swine flu.’” All references to the “swine flu” should be wiped out immediately and replaced with H1N1. I also hope each of you reading this will put pressure on the media to do this.

I will ask for one more favor, make sure you stop by the grocery store and buy some safe, nutritious pork. Now pardon me while I go throw a pork chop on the grill and support my friends who worked hard raising it.

Its Memorial Day weekend, a time when many people relax with friends and family around barbeque grills to enjoy friendship and great food. Many people have a long three day weekend planned to kick back and relax.

For farmers and ranchers, there is no such thing as a three day weekend. Livestock still need to be fed each day, crops need planted and fences won’t wait until Tuesday to be fixed. And of course, a farmer’s equipment always breaks down on the holidays when there are no stores open to get parts. When this happens, the frantic calling begins to find a neighbor who may have the part you need. Fun and relaxing around a grill with friends and family waits until the sun goes down and the day’s work is finished.

This is only a small glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes to produce safe food for our country. When you hear a news story that portrays agriculture in a negative manner, think about the dedication farmers and ranchers have to feed this country. Farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to caring for their livestock and being great stewards of the land, and their dedication doesn’t stop for a three day weekend.

As a family hog farmer, I work long hours every day to produce a healthy food product for consumers all over the world. When a visitor drives on to our farm, they will notice a sign that reads “Do not enter, Disease Control Area.” To ensure the highest health possible for our pigs, all employees on our family farm are required to wear coveralls and foot coverings when entering our barns. When pigs are removed from a barn, the barn is thoroughly washed and disinfected before new pigs are put back into the barn. Screens are put over all openings to keep birds and rodents from entering the barns.

As farmers we know we have a responsibility to provide a clean, healthy environment for our pigs. We also have a responsibility to be a good steward to the land and water that God has entrusted to us. We take those responsibilities very seriously. We use the most modern technology, combined with animal husbandry skills that have been passed down through the generations.

As a farmer, who has my own family to provide for, I am deeply disturbed how groups like HSUS are trying to use the current H1N1 flu outbreak to further their political agenda to eliminate animal agriculture in the U.S. Don’t believe them. Trust in the care and commitment of farmers who’ve spent generations putting safe food on their family’s table—and yours.

As a young producer in the nursery business, I could not be more excited by the number of American's gardening today for the first time!

What I've discovered is an INCREDIBLE opportunity to better connect folks to their food and where it comes from. After all, in addition to Michelle Obama, we now have Brittany Spears gardening for the first time.

The lessons in science and math are unbelievable for the average family. The psychological and therapeutic benefits are numerous as well! If you have not started even a small container garden with herbs or a tomato plant, now's the time!

We're talking about an invaluable lesson in American Agriculture that benefits everyone involved!!!

“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists…”

For many of us who were members of the FFA organization, we will recognize these words as the beginning to the FFA Creed. Last week I had the opportunity to represent my company at the Chapman FFA Recognition Banquet. These words never rang more true than for this chapter. Almost a year to the date this small Northeast Kansas was devastated by a tornado. All but wiping out the high school along with many of the agricultural buildings. Walking into this banquet (once held in the auditorium but now held in the gym-one of the few buildings still standing) you never would have known the challenges these students had to endure over the last year. So much enthusiasm coming from these students! They continued to grow their chapter, continued to compete in contests, continued to live their passion for agriculture!

I know as I drove the 2-hours back home I felt confident in the future of agriculture and was amazed that after the year these students have had to face they continued to have optimism and faith in agriculture. A true achievement!

The media misrepresentation of H1N1 has had a negative impact on the hog industry. Pork is SAFE to eat, and hogs in the Untied States do not carry the flu virus that has infected less than 275 people in the United States. This news obviously hit during a slow news week, the normal flu season has over 35,000 deaths from the flu virus but you really don’t hear about it on the news. Right now, the US Pork industry has taken a real beating for something that isn’t the fault of the farmer.

While I was at church yesterday, a lady asked me if there was anything the government could do to help the hog farmers in this country. Hog farmers do not receive government subsidies, so when we lose money as we have in the last 19 months; we have to borrow money to make ends meet. However, if the government did want to help, one avenue would be to negotiate more Free Trade Agreements (FTA) immediately. This would be at no cost to tax payers, but it would open another market for our products. Just by completing a FTA with Korea, the US Pork Industry could gain almost $10 per hog. Free Trade Agreements with the country of Columbia could add another $1.63 per hog, while a FTA with Panama could result in an added $.20 per hog.

As a hog farmer, I know first hand how tough the last 19 months have been on our family and farm. The passage of these three Free Trade Agreements would bring us closer to a break even. These Free Trade Agreements can help keep millions of families on their farms, and their employees working. We are determined to weather this storm. We are proud to produce safe and nutritious food for our family, and yours.

You can also play an important role in providing America with safe and nutritious food, contact your Congressman or Senator and encourage them to pass and implement the Korean, Columbian and Panama Free Trade Agreements immediately. In the meantime, support American hog farmers by purchasing pork to grill the next time you are at the grocery store. Pork is healthy and affordable!

Spring is finally here and it is time to start planting. Although the weather was a little uncooperative, we finally got started and are well on our way. We just finished getting our corn crop planted and have started on cotton and soybeans.

We have a busy summer planned between work and family but are looking forward to a productive season. We will host a farm tour in June which will involve 50 teachers who are attending our state Farm Bureau's Ag in the Classroom Teacher Institute. These teachers will spend part of the day touring our farm to see the day-to-day operations of "life on the farm." We will also be going to the local Child Development Center in our hometown during the month of June to showcase farming and teach kids about what takes place daily on the farm.

Our state Farm Bureau recently introduced an Ag-Simulator which we will use to show the children about planting, harvesting, etc. This Ag-Simulator is a mobile combine. The children will be able to ride through virtual fields of corn, cotton, and wheat. We will finish our day by handing out ag education materials (activity books related to farming and soy crayons) and enjoying ice-cream.

I know we all lead very busy lives but telling our story is the only way the public will get the real facts. It is rewarding and I encourage each of you to get involved in sharing your farm story. Stay tuned for an update on our June activities.

Recently I was reading the Hickman’s Family Farms Newsletter that included a story about their experience with the television show, Dirty Jobs. The Hickman’s have been raising chickens and selling eggs in Arizona for the last 65 years. The quote in the story that caught my attention was the following, “…they thought our farm was “too clean”; what a great thing for us to hear about where we house over 3 million hens AND a fertilizer plant!” There is no doubt that farmers and ranchers get dirty, as there is a lot of dirt and sweat involved in our professions. And for anyone raising livestock there is manure involved too. It’s fantastic, that the Hickman’s process the chicken manure into fertilizer, and I am sure that is a bit of a dirty job.

The “Egg Farm” episode will be re-airing again this week, May 7th, on the Discovery Channel. Check it out! If you can’t wait that long to watch the episode on TV, you can view it at the Hickman’s webpage.