Farmers from Minnesota and around the world are in Washington this week for the 36th "World Farmers' Congress" hosted by the National Farmers Union.
Delegates from 70 countries will share production and marketing tips, discuss the latest technology and develop strategies to make agriculture profitable, said Doug Peterson, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union.
"It's farmers talking to farmers, at a grass roots level," he said. "I'm going to be talking to farmers from Brazil about world trade. I'm going to be talking to farmers from Africa about co-ops. I'm going to be talking to Norwegian and Swedish farmers about their quotas. What we're trying to do is exchange ideas, so that the farmers can learn what's happening in other countries. Because, we are in this together, trying to make a living."
About 500 farm leaders are expected to participate, Peterson said. It's the first time in 25 years the meeting has been held in the United States.
"We're talking about water resources, world hunger, the environment and international water management," he added. "That's going to be a big issue - how do we use water in developing nations? And, we'll be also looking at fighting poverty and food insecurity."
The goal is for farmers to come together as a global agriculture community and speak with one voice to support family farms and rural communities, he said.
For more information
Visit the National Farmers Union website, www.nfu.org and the International Federation of Agriculture Producers website, www.ifap.org
Share
Farmers from Minnesota and around the world are in Washington this week for the 36th “World Farmers’ Congress” hosted by the National Farmers Union.
Delegates from 70 countries will share production and marketing tips, discuss the latest technology and develop strategies to make agriculture profitable, said Doug Peterson, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union.
“It’s farmers talking to farmers, at a grass roots level,” he said. “I’m going to be talking to farmers from Brazil about world trade. I’m going to be talking to farmers from Africa about co-ops. I’m going to be talking to Norwegian and Swedish farmers about their quotas. What we’re trying to do is exchange ideas, so that the farmers can learn what’s happening in other countries. Because, we are in this together, trying to make a living.”
About 500 farm leaders are expected to participate, Peterson said. It’s the first time in 25 years the meeting has been held in the United States.
“We’re talking about water resources, world hunger, the environment and international water management,” he added. “That’s going to be a big issue – how do we use water in developing nations? And, we’ll be also looking at fighting poverty and food insecurity.”
The goal is for farmers to come together as a global agriculture community and speak with one voice to support family farms and rural communities, he said.
For more information
Visit the National Farmers Union website, www.nfu.org and the International Federation of Agriculture Producers website, www.ifap.org