From oil to farming leadership

Beth Ford, CEO of Land O'Lakes, has worked in publishing, consumer goods, and oil before leading one of America's largest farming collectives. She wants Americans to understand farmers' challenges.

Farmers face record costs

American farmers are working under tremendous pressure and volatility. Fertilizer prices are up, diesel is up, steel is up. This is the most expensive crop that anybody's ever put in.

“This is the most expensive crop that anybody's ever put in.”

Rural America deserves investment

Nineteen percent of the population lives in rural areas but comprises 44% of the military. Ford argues rural communities deserve investment because food self-sufficiency is a strength of America.

Immigration reform could boost GDP

Two-thirds of farm workers are non-citizen immigrants. Ford says immigration reform could grow GDP by 3.3% over a trillion dollars in the next ten years, benefiting agriculture and the broader economy.

Americans eating more butter

Americans continue to eat more butter and cheese, though they still trail Europeans. Ford credits Land O'Lakes for promoting butter consumption with its famous cover line, Eat butter.

“Oh, yes. We continue to. We're eating more cheese as well, although we still trail the Europeans, so everybody should get busy with that.”