Ag industry reps encourage COVID-19 vaccinations

Apr 09, 2021

The vaccines are embedded in science, one lawmaker said

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Representatives of the U.S. ag community are encouraging others in the industry to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

President Biden announced on Tuesday that all American adults will be eligible to receive a vaccination by April 19. This is two weeks earlier than his original May 1 date.

And members of the U.S. farming sector want others within the community to take advantage of the opportunity.

The American Farm Bureau, for example, is a founding member of the COVID-19 Community Corps. The corps is a group of organizations the White House has tapped to help promote vaccine confidence.

“We are making sure that these farmers and ranchers understand the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine and have the appropriate tools to handle any sort of issues with vaccine hesitancy or concerns and questions about the vaccine,” said Allison Crittenden, congressional relations director with the American Farm Bureau.

Farmers are experienced in trusting facts and data to make the best decisions on their farms.

The vaccine is rooted in trustworthy information, said Russell Redding, Pennsylvania’s secretary of agriculture.

“All of us in agriculture have learned to accept science, work with science (and) see the benefits of science,” he said, ButlerRadio.com reported. “The vaccination is a science.”

In South Dakota, one of the state’s largest farm groups is also encouraging farmers to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Three South Dakota farm families shared their stories with the South Dakota Farmers Union to help convince others to get vaccinated.

“This disease is no joke,” Doug Sombke, president of the union, said in a March 30 statement. “Too many farm and ranch families have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Too many seats (were empty) this Easter. I am grateful there is a vaccine. We all need to get vaccinated so we can stop the spread of this deadly disease.”

General vaccine information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

And CNN has posted a list of phone numbers and email addresses to contact for state-by-state COVID-19 vaccine information.

Video: Sowing Success: Dr. Gordon Spronk's Journey with Pipestone and the Future of Swine Health

Welcome back to In Swine Versation. Get ready for an enlightening journey as we delve into the remarkable story of Dr. Gordon Spronk, a founding partner at Pipestone, in our latest episode of "Sowing Success." In this episode, we'll be exploring key questions that shed light on Pipestone's evolution and the future of swine health. Here's a glimpse of what to expect:

1. Exploring Pipestone's Foundations: We'll kick off by uncovering the early vision behind Pipestone and how it has shaped the landscape for new entrepreneurs entering the field. Dr. Spronk will share insights into the core principles that have guided Pipestone's journey and how they continue to drive success today.

2. Industry-Shaping Experiences: Moving on to Dr. Spronk's impactful tenure at the National Pork Board, we'll explore his contributions to sustainability, growth accomplishments, and his vision for the future of pork production. Expect to gain insights into how Dr. Spronk's experiences have influenced the industry and what he envisions for its future.

3. Global Excellence and Growth: With Pipestone ranking second in the latest World Mega Producers ranking, we'll delve into what these impressive numbers signify and how Pipestone continues to excel on a global scale. Dr. Spronk will share his perspectives on the key factors driving Pipestone's success and its strategy for continued growth and innovation.

4. Navigating Challenges: We'll address the hot topic of Prop 12 and its implications for the industry. Dr. Spronk will provide valuable insights into the challenges and implementation issues faced by Pipestone and how the company is navigating through this complex landscape.

5. Updates on Wholestone Plant: Dr. Spronk will provide updates on the latest developments at the Wholestone plant in South Dakota, offering insights into how this initiative aligns with Pipestone's broader goals and objectives.

6. Transformative Journey of Pipestone Management: Taking a trip down memory lane, we'll explore the transformative journey of Pipestone Management since its inception in 1988. Dr. Spronk will share insights into the growth and evolution of Pipestone Management, highlighting key milestones and lessons learned along the way.

7. Defining Swine Health Success: Finally, we'll delve into Dr. Spronk's definition of swine health and its pivotal role in the success of Pipestone Management. Expect to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of swine health and how it drives Pipestone's mission and values.

Overall, this episode promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of Pipestone's journey and the future of swine health. Tune in for an engaging conversation that's sure to leave you inspired and informed about what lies ahead in the world of pork production.