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Family farmers needed to feed the world

Wisconsin Farmers Union photo

 

Recently Wisconsin Farmers Union president Darin Von Ruden along with the state Farmers Union presidents from Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana traveled to Rome to meet with representatives of other groups from around the world.

Von Ruden and his American counterparts met with represntatives of Caldoritti, Italy’s largest farm organiztion, the International Catholic Rural Association, the World Farmers Organization and the Vatican. The groups are working on a draft proposal outlining the importance of the family farm to feeding the world in the years to come.  The presentation will be made at an International Symposium of Faith, Food and The Environment in Milan, Italy in late June.

Von Ruden says there are a few misperceptions which need to be dealt with: One is that most farmers in the U.S. are corporate farmers.  Another is that while farmers in third-world countries need assistance, there are farmers in first-world countries who are struggling to make ends meet as well.  The acceptance of technology and unstable governments present challenges to feeding the world as well.

While in Rome, Von Ruden along with Minnesota Farmers Union president Doug Peterson had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis.  He says it was quite an honor for “an average American.”

Von Ruden talks about the effort: