Former Defense Secretary Calls U.S. Farming a National Security Issue
Former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta delivers the closing address at the 2023 Salinas Biological Summit. Photo by David Eddy
A heavy hitter closed out the inaugural Salinas Biological Summit with a strong message for growers and other agriculture industry leaders: Speak up. Leon Panetta, who represented the region in Congress, said far too many Americans take ag for granted, writes David Eddy at Growing Produce. Panetta said it’s up to the industry to change that perception.
“This is about national security, and I don’t think you need to be shy in saying that,” he said.
It’s an argument that should be used to secure more public funding for agriculture programs, he said, especially at the Land Grant universities, which have seen funds dwindle over the past few decades. Panetta said the conference was an important one, because many Americans believe the industry needs to reduce its reliance on chemicals.
Besides going with biological solutions, there are other changes in farming methods that can be made, he said, suggesting that the government provide incentives for growers who conserve water through the use of more precise irrigation. He added that the small walnut orchard in nearby Carmel Valley he inherited from his father was flood-irrigated, but when he replanted with grapes he installed drip irrigation.
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