By Clint Thompson
The specialty crop sector would be challenged to find a company more passionate and devoted to the future and sustainability of its farmers than those affiliated with Lewis Taylor Farms.
Bill Brim, co-owner of the farming operation in Tifton, Georgia, has long advocated for the American farmer and against unfair trade which has negatively impacted producers across the Southeast. His daughter, Jessica Kirk, had her chance to make a similar plea during the International Conference of Integrative Precision Agriculture, held in mid-May in Athens, Georgia.
“I strongly believe it is a national security issue. We are facing a lot of pressure from produce coming across the border from Mexico. My dad is very vocal on this. Just this year we had broccoli coming across the border from Mexico for around $4 a box. We can’t break even at $4 a box. We can’t compete with that,” said Kirk, director of food safety and marketing at Lewis Taylor Farms.
“We’re hurting our own farmers and process because we’re allowing this to come across and yet we’re not concerned about the food safety issues, the workers themselves and the products. We have to come to the realization in this country that just because it’s cheap doesn’t make it better. If not, we’re going to be importing all of our food, and the costs we see now are going to be minimal compared to what they’re going to be.”
Bill Brim testified during recent U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) hearings regarding the impact that imports have had on domestic production. Brim’s passion was evident. He was emotional, breaking down almost to tears when discussing how farmers’ livelihoods have been systematically altered by decades of increased imports from other countries, namely Mexico.
“I am here because I believe in Georgia farmers. I believe our industry is worth fighting for,” said Brim during the USITC hearing on cucumbers and squash. “Please do the right thing and help us preserve this way of life that means so much to me.”
The responsibility is now on the American consumer. Just because it is cheaper does not make it better.