# Land O'Lakes CEO: America's farmers need investment and respect

> Beth Ford, who leads the farming collective, argues that rural America deserves recognition for feeding the nation and strengthening national security.
- Title: Land O'Lakes CEO: America's farmers need investment and…
- Summary: Beth Ford, who leads the farming collective, argues that rural America deserves recognition for feeding the nation and strengthening national security. Land…
- Keywords: land o'lakes, beth ford, farming, agriculture, rural america, farmers, immigration policy, food security, news, world, Land, O'Lakes
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/collection/the-ceo-moment/2026/land-o-lakes-beth-ford
- Published: 2026-11-02T18:00:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: land o'lakes, beth ford, farming, agriculture, rural america, farmers, immigration policy, food security, news, world
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Land O'Lakes CEO Beth Ford says American farmers face record costs and need investment, and rural communities deserve recognition for their role in national security.