February 2010 Articles

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Building Partnerships In Our Poultry Industry:

Building Partnerships In Our Poultry Industry:

I would like to preface this writing with the fact that I am not a poultry farmer, nor is my family in the poultry business….merely a concerned citizen and friend. I would also like to issue a statement of gratefulness to the Foster Farm’s family. Thank you for providing an opportunity for our neighbors to go back to work. I fully realize your company is combating a problem it didn’t create, my prayer is of hope that your business will continue to grow. February 26, 2009, was the day I received the call reporting the idling of the Pilgrim’s Pride facilities in Farmerville and our northern neighbor El Dorado. Disbelief was the first emotion, but this was soon followed by a strong desire to help my friends in time of need. Many events took place over the following months, from meetings with Governor Jindal and Commissioner Strain to brainstorming meetings where farmers explored all of their options. Thanks to the diligence of many, nearly one year later Foster Farms is operating in Farmerville. However, it seems that maybe we have forgotten some very important people along the way. Looking back and replaying those events reminds me of how many farmers (neighbors, friends, and acquaintances) came together as a unified front with one request….just give us the opportunity to go back to work. Many of these spent sleepless hours wondering what to do and what the next day held. You see, these farmers have invested their lives and hard earned money into their farms, not with visions of getting rich, but visions of providing for their family through a job that not many get to realize; that is being able to own and operate a family farm. Many of these farmers have raised their children and some grandchildren on these poultry farms, but guess what….these kids and grandkids are not returning to the family farm. They’ve seen their fathers, mothers, grandfathers, or grandmothers labor for years, but for what? They are not rich, no mansions on hill tops, no beach condominiums….so why? Because they are farmers; those who work selflessly to make sure we have safe, quality food on our grocery store shelves. Please keep in mind one of the major strengths of America is our ability to produce our own food. So how do we get these young people to start farming? I’ve spent hours contemplating that question and keep coming back to the same answer….we have to make farmers feel appreciated & do all we can to help their sustainability. We take for granted where our food comes from, & until times get tough show little concern for the family farmer. I ask this question….if poultry integrators can’t work together with our poultry farmers in helping them become economically stable; will we continue to have family poultry farms? If not, who will produce this commodity? Well, it will be imported from foreign countries or raised on corporate farms. Would you rather your food be grown on a family farm by people who are your neighbors, or on foreign or corporate farms where we don’t know if the food is safe & is only produced in a way that protects share holder interests? I’ll let you answer that one for yourself. So I plead with the administration & decision makers of our local poultry industry, please make every effort to work with our poultry growers. As a human depends on a sturdy backbone & a tree depends on healthy heartwood to stand tall, so does your local industry depend on the many local poultry farmers who produce the chicken that supplies your plant, that pays your workers, that helps your bottom line, that makes your investors happy. Get them together (we are southerners….we love to get together!), listen to their concerns, communicate with them as you would a business partner who has just as much invested as you do (remember….collectively they do have as much invested!). In times like today the finger pointing blame game doesn’t help anyone, but a sit down at the table conversation like business partners & friends will make us a stronger community & will build partnerships for generations to come. I plead with my friends, neighbors & acquaintances….let us not forget those who are so important to our local economy. That’s right, the food & fiber industry in Union parish equates to 47% of employment & 80% of our gross domestic product. We must stand with our farming community as we did in times of uncertainty. We rallied with prayer when times were bleak, but soon forgot when celebrations started & ended. Continue to pray for our agricultural & community leaders in hopes for a deeper rooted more stable economy. Author: Jason Holmes, County Agent (ANR/4-H), Union Parish, 210 East Water Street, Farmerville, La 71241, Office: 318-368-9935 or 2999, Fax: 318-368-2997, Mobile: 318-243-4931, jholmes@agcenter.lsu.edu, www.lsuagcenter.com