Large Agricultural Corporations (Sydney Gordon)
Introduction
As COVID-19 is leaving people without jobs from stay-at-home orders, the economy is suffering a large decline. Small businesses are being shut down and large nation-wide organizations are still suffering from lack of consumers. One industry in particular, the agricultural industry, still has to maintain the demands of food consumption that don't go away during a crisis like a coronavirus pandemic. This page will explore how the demands of food during a large economic decline impacts large agriculture corporations in terms of state's economies.
Fact Checked Source
On March 19, 2020, Author Willie Vogt released an article on the Corn & Soybean Digest with various press releases from agriculture corporation heads discussion what changes are being made to the agriculture industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.https://www.farmprogress.com/business/western-food-ag-groups-weigh-covid-19
Looking Deeper: Fact-Checked Claims
Panic buying of food has cleared grocery shelves and strained even the highest- tech distribution and delivery system.
I trust this claim due to my own personal experience. A few weeks ago as I was shopping before the state-wide lockdown, I saw shelves that were completely bare due to “panic buying.” I found a source from the Detroit Freepress of an image that was not far off from what I saw. I trust the Detroit Freepress as it is a well-known and credible source and it aligns with what I observed. (Selasky)
"Agriculture and food production is an essential industry that feeds our communities and serves a vital role in the state's economy
This quote was taken from a Washington State Department of Agriculture press release from Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) director Derek Sandison. According to WSDA’s website, “Derek Sandison was appointed director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture by Gov. Jay Inslee effective June 15, 2015. As WSDA director, Derek oversees an agency responsible for animal health, plant inspections, food safety, fruit and grain inspection and certification, weights and measures, pesticide registration and marketing the state's agricultural products regionally and globally (Director and Executive Leadership).” Due to Derek Sandison's experience in helping the public by maintaining safe agricultural decionsons, I trust his claim of the importance of agriculture in the economy.
There is no need for the public to be concerned that store shelves will go empty, as farmers, ranchers and food processors are producing plenty to meet our needs.
This claim was pasted into Google and I found an article from the New York Times. A quote from Julie Anna Potts, chief executive of the North American Meat Institute, a trade group for beef, pork and turkey packers and producers: “‘There is food being produced. There is food in warehouses,’ ‘There is plenty of food in the country.’ ‘Our stores are getting stocked every day (Corkery) ,’” I trust Julie Anna Potts as she is the “President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute, where she leads the Institute in the implementation of all programs and activities for the association. An agriculture veteran, Potts previously served the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) as its executive vice president and treasurer (North American Meat Institute).” The Farm Bureau Federation is the publisher of the original article therefore this claim is credible.
State and federal government is actively working with producers, processors and distributors to ensure that the food supply chain continues to function and support our communities through these difficult and uncertain circumstances.
This claim is also from the WSDA press release by Derek Sandison. Due to his status and credibility mentioned above, I trust this claim.
[Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association] is urging growers to continue to implement their worker health measures when retailing their produce to reduce transmission of the disease.
This claim was produced by Robert Sakata, President, Board Member, Grower of the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. The Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association mentioned: “Robert served for 15 years on the state of Colorado’s Water Quality Control Commission appointed by three different governors. He also served as the Adams County Farm Bureau president and on the Adams County Open Space Advisory Committee. Currently he is on two local ditch boards, serves as the agricultural representative on the metro roundtable, is a member of the Colorado Ag Water Alliance and on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Water Congress (Board Members).” Due to Robert’s history of important agriculture positions, I trust that his claims are accurate in benefiting the public’s safety.
Analytic Essay
COVID-19 is Eating up the Agriculture Industry
Since patient zero from late 2019 to a global pandemic officially announced on March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization, information regarding coronavirus, more specifically, COVID-19, has increased exponentially. One article, in particular, from the Corn & Soybean Digest written by Willie Vogt, Executive Director of Content and User Engagement on Farm Progress, highlights the main concerns such as food shortages and new safety protocols COVID-19 has imposed on the economy from the standpoint of the agricultural industry. A pandemic creates significant issues to food supply and the national economy.
The economy affects us all: whether you're black or white, young or old, sick or healthy (US: Address Impact of Covid-19 on Poor). While thousands of COVID-19 patients are being diagnosed everyday, the rest of the population still suffers from the poor economy. No matter how many Clorox wipes they use or N95 face masks they wear, a declining economy still affects them. For those that are suffering from the negative effects of a declining economy many have lost their jobs and as a result, may not be able to pay rent or simply cover monthly electricity bills or pay for groceries. Those that are buying groceries are most likely purchasing non-perishable or longer lasting goods than expensive produce that can spoil in days.
State-wide agricultural companies, which make up a significant portion of the states economies, are concerned about the “processing halts due to disease, or limits on labor access, which may leave crops in the field (Vogt).” The agricultural impact of COVID-19 debilitates the state's physical, social, and more importantly economical health. Growers value their jobs not only to distribute produce to provide to the public, but this is their means of income. Working in a food-industry job has an increased number of safety concerns in comparison to non-food related jobs. Growers have privileged access to the food we consume and they must adapt to the changing circumstances with stricter regulation on how to maintain safe practices. “The guidance for farmers as employers will help them do what we always want to do: feed and take care of people (Tonelli).”
State agricultural corporations are encouraging consumers to purchase locally grown products. This decreases the amount of transportation required to distribute goods from the grown location to the consumed location. Several people come in contact along that journey so by limiting these interactions can help limit the spread of COVID-19. “‘We also encourage everyone to look for and purchase local Utah food when possible from restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores and farmers markets (Vogt),’” says Interim Commissioner Kelly Pehrson of the Utah Department of Agriculture. In order to continue to produce fruits and vegetables during a pandemic, all of those that are linked to the growing and distribution must continue to practice safe actions to prevent spread of coronavirus. Agricultural Corporations take in data from their state regarding information on the number of cases in their specific state. “[Idaho] has a page of information for tracking what's happening in the state. “Visit the Idaho State Department of Agriculture page to keep up on that region's activities (Vogt).” Author Willie Vogt encourages his readers to also look into state information regarding coronavirus updates.
The state agriculture corporations are sympathetic to civilians. This pandemic is uncharted territory for everyone currently therefore those that are in power such as large businesses like the agriculture companies want to ease stress and anxiety: “‘The public should know that we are doing everything we can to ensure that all Washingtonians continue to have access to safe, healthy food (Vogt).’” Says Washington State's Governor, Jay Inslee. Businesses need the public to also make safe decisions to not contaminate those that are still in direct contact with workers. Consumers and producers must work together to ensure no one is contaminating each other. It’s also important to trust where this information is coming from: leaders of large agriculture corporations understand how agriculture reacts to, one: the economy and two: disease. In class we discussed the importance of understanding where facts come from and in this case it is also very important. Misinformation can spread as quick, if not quicker than the disease itself.
COVID-19 has created a significant impact on the economy in only one month since it was declared a pandemic. Importantly, it has affected the food corporation that society relies on to consume produce; a lack of agriculture means a shortage of food. Food is essential to survive and the economy impacted by COVID-19 creates a significant barrier to overcome proper food distribution and consumption during this time.