News

‘Dirty Jobs’ Rowe says farmers have it right

The creator of television’s ‘Dirty Jobs’ – keynote speaker at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in Atlanta on Monday – says farmers don’t need a spokesman.

Mike Rowe has done many of his shows on US farms working side by side with farmers.

“What I most hear (from farmers) is a sense that the rest of the country is disconnected – fundamentally – from what it is farmers do today.”

Rowe told reporters that 50 years ago everyone appreciated farmers and agriculture.

“If there’s a message that needs to come back to over and over again is just reminding the 300-million people who rely on what farmers do that it’s not happening by… by magic.”

Rowe responded to a reporter that agriculture doesn’t need him as a spokesman – then told AFBF members that they have it RIGHT and should continue to be their own best advocates.

AUDIO: Mike Rowe, “DirtyJobs”, AFBF news conference (34 min. MP3)