This summer, rainfall truly has been a “haves vs. have-nots” situation, even within major regions. In July, I drove cross-country from Washington State to Pennsylvania. You can’t help but be struck with the tremendous diversity and contrasts of our beautiful country, its topography, even its climate and crops.

Corn, beans and forages in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana looked downright lush. Eastern Ohio and Pennsylvania was a different story with curled corn plants and brown hay fields.

Lots of driving, seeing and hearing
I was struck by another contrast. We stopped at Mount Rushmore. What an inspiring sight! Those four former U.S. presidents on the mountain were truly great leaders, and all were well-versed in agriculture.

When George Washington took office, there were about 2.5 million people in the country. Now we have about that many civilian workers on the federal payroll.

Our population is now more than 320 million, and look at our choices for president. I’ve never heard the word “agriculture” spoken by either one. And they seem to have little knowledge about it.

Harold Harpster,
Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa.