Farm Compliance

Recounting highlights from his 50 years of foreign policy and military service, particularly the strategy of containment for the Soviet Union and China, Powell said it took time for him to get used to “being an average citizen.”

Describing the events of 9-11 as “a shock to our national soul,” he noted the importance of new U.S. security measures he put in place to combat terrorism.

“Let’s go after them [terrorists],” he stressed.

But, he cautioned, that strategy must be balanced with the need for Americans to continue to be known as “good, warm, welcoming people” and for our country to continue to be known as the land of opportunity for students seeking the best education, those in need of medical care as well as people looking to better themselves and their families economically.

“It’s better to have trading issues, than issues of war and peace,” Powell said, referring to recent challenges American agriculture has faced with Japan and South Korea.

“Although you don’t see this on the nightly news, the world we live in today is one of enormous opportunity, especially for American agricultural interests,” he said.

Powell predicted exports of U.S. farm products to foreign nations such as China will increase, as that country now has a middle class, which expects a better standard of living and along with that, better food and nutrition.

Improved technology now available and the productivity of America’s farmers and ranchers will allow them to take advantage of that opportunity and many others, Powell said.