State-to-State: German-American State Legislator Dialogue -- Agriculture and Food Security
Channel: Aspen Institute Germany
Date: 2022-12-01

Agriculture is of crucial importance for the economy, society, the environment, and the future of the planet. An environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable agriculture can contribute to protecting natural resources, preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and ensuring global food security. It also plays a significant role in promoting the future prosperity of rural areas and strengthening social cohesion. At the same time, the sector faces significant challenges due to rising population growth, declining biodiversity, new training demands, and the need to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic have added stress to supply chains and led to rising investment costs, price volatility, and global trade conflicts. How can U.S. states and German Länder address these issues and shape the framework for a more sustainable agricultural future?

We discussed these issues with Representative Sydney Carlin (Democrat), Member of the Kansas House of Representatives, Senator Russ Goodman (Republican), Member of the Georgia State Senate, Assemblywoman Donna A. Lupardo (Democrat), Member of the New York State Assembly, and Elrid Pasbrig MdL (SPD), Member of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt.