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Heartland Summit encourages global engagement, U.S. funding

More than 500 farmers and agriculture leaders are stressing the importance of federal investment in international trade promotion.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Heartland Summit took place in Iowa and Michigan Thursday focusing on the benefits of strategic investments in agriculture and global development.

President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association Chuck Lippstreu tells Brownfield it’s not a partisan issue.

“Republicans and Democrats have come together and need to continue to come together to support a fully funded international affairs budget to make sure the U.S. is engaging abroad to make sure diplomacy and international food aid programs and strategic investment continue,” he says.

Michigan exported nearly $3 billion in ag and food products last year.  Lippstreu says that record can be surpassed.

“Let’s keep our foot on the gas,” he says.  “We can continue to grow exports. We can continue to grow Michigan’s footprint as part of the broader US export portfolio.”

Significant cuts have been proposed 2024 budget to the U.S. International Affairs Budget. Farmers and leaders from the event sent a letter to Congress calling for support of America’s diplomacy, global development, and global food security resources.

Photo courtesy of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.