To replace those jobs with higher-tech, good paying jobs, we must offer a literate workforce. Otherwise, the jobs will not come. Manufacturing and agriculture are value-creating industries and are essential to the furtherance of our economy. Service jobs are nice, but unless we create value through manufacturing and agriculture, we will end up serving each other without really creating enough economic value. Our farming economy is in the ditch.
Prices are less than production costs in many instances.
Our farmers cannot continue unless things change in a big way, and soon. Success will be found through increased exports and shifting to more profitable crops. Though I don t view governmental farm price supports as the answer, some government assistance is needed. Price supports simply prolong the problem and discourage the search for a real solution. In my view, the Governor could help resuscitate our agricultural economy by placing maximum emphasis on increasing exports and financial assistance to our farmers in transitioning to profitable crops.