As the trip has come to a close I feel as though I have learned more about farming that I thought I would on this May X. Being thrown into tractor safety on day one I thought I had all the bases covered, but then a calf had to teach the rest of it. Policy was the portion that I latched onto the most. All of the regulations placed on farmers, and the ones that can be ignored (spraying directions) and some water regulations. Meeting with the interest groups and commodity groups showed how people feel about the trade war, but that even if it is tough, some truly believe in it. Plus, the government giving farmers “bailouts” doesn’t hurt their opinions. They all drove the same message that they are out to help farmers and drive policy that assists them. Compared to the IEC, where it was a group of, mostly, young women who are fighting to regulate water and this will effect farming and animal operations. They care about water and not the baseline on a farmers account balance, they are driving their agenda just as others are. It can be a difficult trail to take. Farmers have definitely gained more respect from me because they work long, hard hours to provide food for the American people at a good price, and provide food for the world and trade for America. The experience is more than I can summarize in a blog post, and more events than one can capture. It has helped me better understand the agriculture system from start to finish, and the regulations and governance it is surrounded in creating controversies and problems for farmers to navigate. A farmer is truly a small business owner, politician, and will generally hold another “off-farm” job too. Thank you to the Neubauers, Dr. Halva-Neubauer, the Sweeneys, and to Mr. Stole for all that has been done behind the scenes on this great experience.