By:  Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President

When the American Farm Bureau Federation went through the process of examining the future of what would be critical issues for farmers and ranchers (Making American Agriculture Productive & Profitable - MAAPP), one of the findings that really struck a cord in my mind was the concept that healthy rural communities were more important for farmers and ranchers than farmers and ranchers might be for healthy rural economies.  It would seem that this ramification is being shown for it’s reality in this news piece. 

Here in Nevada, the rural landscape is somewhat different than the aspects of rural communities of the central portion of the nation, with a manufacturing element woven into the fabric of how things fit together.  At the same time it is important for the well-being of Silver State farmers and ranchers to be integrated into sustainable local economies.

Future development for new agricultural pursuits (something currently a theme we’re giving some consideration to) will require significant development of the supporting infrastructure system, based in rural communities.

As we seek opportunities for building Nevada’s agricultural future it will be important to engage in working partnerships with rural community leaders.