Founder's Quote, 25 May 2025

It will not be doubted, that with reference either to individual, or National Welfare, Agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as Nations advance in population, and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent; and renders the cultivation of the Soil more and more, an object of public patronage. - George Washington, Eighth Annual Message to Congress — 1796

Agriculture has long been a staple of America; from the farms of the Midwest to the vineyards of California and the yeoman farmers of Appalachia, farming and the products yielded from them not only feed America but the world.

Founders' Quote, 19 Feb. 2025

I hope, some day or another, we shall become a storehouse and granary for the world. - George Washington, letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, 1788

And for most of the 20th century and the 21st century, we have been; for instance, the U.S. exported to the former Soviet Union, on average, more grain than the Soviets themselves exported to their allies...and in most cases, with no strings attached. Gifts, essentially.

That's part of the soft power diplomacy the U.S. is well known for and something I honestly hope Pres. Trump continues - that is, after rooting out the corruption and graft within USAid.