Q. What’s your vision for the future of farming in the U.S.?
There is a bright future for farming in the U.S.!  I envision the term “Outcome” based farming to become widely adopted.  Currently farmers generally get paid for one outcome – yield. However, agriculture can deliver much more than that! I have a vision where it becomes common place for farmers to be rewarded not just for high yields, but also things like climate and environmental improvements. These income streams could be separate from the dollars farmers are paid for the crops they produce. With the rapid advance of both information and biological technology we increasingly can actually measure and quantify these types of outcomes. Farming is a unique biological system that can deliver much more than just affordable food and fiber.  

Q. What steps are needed to realize this vision?
Continued advancement of technology, coupled with common sense and farmer friendly regulation. It is crucial that we continue to drive research and development into yield improvements, however, while we do this the tools and technology that drive this yield should be rigorously tested for ways to quantify their environmental and climate benefits when a farmer adopts them. USDA then should create a structure that regulates this process so the value of the use of these technologies is shared with the grower implementing them, not just the food companies or the manufacturers.

Q. What’s the role of technology and innovation in modern agriculture, particularly with advancements in crop protection tools?
It goes without saying that innovative technology has and always will be crucial for American agriculture to grow and flourish. However, a role that has often been neglected of the companies and organizations that are researching and driving this innovation is to provide effective communication about the benefits not only to the farmer, but to the end consumer. This is particularly important for crop protection tools. Consumers should be no more afraid of crop protection products used in the production of their food than they are reaching for a bottle of Advil to ease a headache. We must have safe and effective crop protection products to drive yield increases AND environmental benefits. When fear-based messaging rules the day in the consumer world, farmers and, ultimately, consumers lose.  

Q. What impact do these technologies have on farming practices? 
I believe one of the most exciting aspects to new technology, especially crop protection technology, is when we experience “enabled” benefits beyond the immediate ones the technology creates. For instance, something as simple as 2,4-D benefits growers immensely from a weed control standpoint(immediate benefit), however it “enables” benefits like long-term no-till and resistant weed management resulting in improved soil health, drought tolerance, more efficient nutrient use and the list goes on. Turning these into consumer benefits is then the next step to drive market incentives and regulatory approval. “Climate Smart” food is a concept, that with proper regulatory oversight by USDA, could be widely adopted by consumers as a positive buying cue. I submit, it’s impossible to raise Climate Smart food without innovative crop protection technology.

Q. What does the agricultural sector need to do, to help bridge the gap between food producers and everyday consumers?
The first peer reviewed research paper on GMOs (genetically modified organisms) was published in 1973. That paper initiated the development of a myriad of amazing crop production tools. I often wonder where we’d be with that technology if those brilliant scientists who published that research had walked across campus and asked the communications department to help them come up with a term for GMOs that would be easily understood by consumers. I submit had they asked me, I would have suggested they call it “Smart Food”! Imagine the difference in consumer perception if that had occurred.  Who wouldn’t want to eat Smart Food? We stand at a historic moment in time as an industry again, 50 years later, with a global challenge called climate change. If we can as an industry simplify the conversation and agree, regardless of the commodity being grown, that there are ways we can get better at what we do that simultaneously improves the environment and then tell that story in a way that consumers relate to, it will leave a legacy for our children and our children’s children that we can all be proud of!

 

Mike Twining grew up on a poultry and grain farm on the eastern shore of Maryland. His love of farming and food production led him to a degree in agricultural economics from Cornell University and a 30+ year career serving farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region. He leads a team of trusted Farm Performance Advisors for an independent ag retailer that influences over 500,000 acres of crop production in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A father of two adult children, he is passionate about helping people discover the power of their food choices to both reverse climate change and live a healthier life.