Three former United States Secretaries of Agriculture took the stage at the annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters this month in Kansas City. Sabrina Hill was there and has this report.
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More sound from the meeting is listed below.
Bob Bergland, John Block, and Clayton Yeutter each shared stories from their time in the position and talked a little about the presidents they served under. They also shared insights into where the nation is headed. Pictured are NAFB President-elect Mark Oppold at podium, and seated (l to r) are Bob Bergland, (Carter administration); John Block, (Reagan administration); and Clayton Yeutter, (Bush administration).
Full soundbites from the meeting
1. General information by Mark Oppold
2. Oppold introduces the Former Secretaries
3. Bob Bergland
4. John Block
5. Clayton Yeutter
6. Bergland on if being Ag Secretary is too tough for a farmer, and thoughts on Earl Butz
7. Yeutter on Earl Butz
8. Yeutter on free trade with Europe
9. Yeutter on streamlining government
10. Bergland on USDA Nutrition Programs
11. Block on if nutrition should be included in the farm bill
12. Yeutter follow up to Block on nutrition, the farm bill, food stamps and poverty level
13. Block on food stamps and school food programs
14. Bergland on food stamps and minimum wage
15. Block on Obama and the EPA
16. Bergland on EPA and environmental regulations
17. Block on farm audits and the Human Society
18. Yeutter on consumer confidence and regulations
19. Bergland on farming technology and feeding the world
20. Yeutter on if overproduction is a problem for today’s farmers
21. Block on food vs. fuel
22. Bergland on land prices
23. Bergland on subsidies for farms and fuels
24. Yeutter on the EPA and renewable fuels
25. Block on the future of agriculture
26. Yeutter on the future of agriculture
27. Bergland on agricultural research and GMO
28. Yeutter on agricultural research and GMO
29. Block and Yeutter on the demands from animal rights groups, increasing regulations
30. Bergland and Yeutter on GMO labeling
31. Block and Yeutter on trade with Brazil and WTO
32. Bergland closing thoughts
33. Block closing thoughts
34. Yeutter closing thoughts