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Articles written by Bruce Nelson


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  • Why Montana needs a farm bill now

    Bruce Nelson and Anthony Preite|Updated Nov 15, 2013

    This fall, Congress has an important opportunity to create jobs and grow the economy by passing a long-term, comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. The Farm Bill impacts every American, every day by providing a wide range of programs that strengthen our nation. The Farm Bill is crucial to maintaining a strong agriculture sector and an abundant food supply that benefits all Americans. Over the past two years, producers have faced a multitude of disasters — from drought, to flooding, to blizzards. These events demonstrate h...

  • Comprehensive immigration reform: Pro-growth and pro-agriculture

    Bruce Nelson and Anthony Preite|Updated Aug 19, 2013
    2

    Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed a commonsense immigration reform measure in a strongly bipartisan fashion. This was an important step in the right direction — especially for producers, farm workers and rural communities. The historic legislation passed by the Senate provides a pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million people who are in our country today without authorization. They will have to go to the back of the line, pay fines and settle taxes they owe our nation. It would modernize the system that we u...

  • USDA trying to help next generation of farmers

    Bruce Nelson

    Throughout my tenure as state executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Montana Farm Service Agency, I have met a number of small and beginning farmers and ranchers, military veterans and Montana agricultural producers interested in making a living in production agriculture. For many, the high cost of purchasing land and equipment can be prohibitive, compelling newcomers and those struggling against odds to take risks to finance their dreams by relying on credit cards and personal loans with high interest...

  • Thank America's farmers

    Bruce Nelson — Executive director, MFSA

    The fresh produce, meat and dairy products on our shelves are astounding. The cereals and breads are so plentiful and various you wonder if anyone has ever taken the time to try them all. The soups, jams and jellies stretch aisle after aisle. Nowhere in the world is such a wide array of food available to everyday consumers like it is in America. It's important to consider the farmers, ranchers and growers who work every day to produce this bounty of food, fiber and fuel we use every day. Farmers and ranchers are skilled...