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Four minutes for agricultureBy Holly Martin Every four years, the two political parties spend a few days trying to out-do each other. Who has the most enthusiastic speakers? How many balloons can we drop? Who has the coolest classic rock tunes to fire up the party? It's all a lot of show and much is made of the speakers that try to captivate the television audience's attention. For the first time in recent memory, we have two candidates that have little or no experience in the agriculture sector. And neither candidate has an agriculture position that is entirely popular with farmers and ranchers. So you wouldn't expect much time devoted to agriculture in prime time during the conventions. But next week's Republican convention will have a few minutes with one of our own holding that stage. Kansan Carolyn Dunn will have the opportunity to speak for our industry during the 7 p.m. CST hour on Sept. 2. It's only four minutes and there's a lot to say, but Dunn hopes to make a positive impression for agriculture. She wants the public to know that agriculture is vital to the long-term health of our country. As a young mother and wife who is heavily involved in a family farm, Dunn wants to relate the importance of keeping food production on American soil. With the current focus on energy prices, she told me that she hopes she can draw an analogy for consumers: We can now see the United States' shift toward more energy dependence on foreign countries was not a good move. We should not let the same thing happen in agriculture. And while much has been made of John McCain's opposition to subsidies and specific farm programs, Dunn said she does hope producers realize his record against broad government regulation is important to agriculture. Dunn has been engaged in many farm and community organizations, following working for both Kansas Senators. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback. While Dunn doesn't think too much should be made of her appearance, I think it will be exciting to see such a wonderful champion for agriculture take the spotlight on the convention stage. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com. 9/1/08 Date: 8/27/08 Advertisement
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