Hanes Named USAEDC Chair

The importance of agricultural trade and it’s benefit to the overall American economy, that’s the message Greg Hanes will promote in 2018.  Hanes was recently named chair of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, a DC-based organization made up of commodity trade associations, farmer coops and more.  He said he plans to develop a united message to deliver to the USDA promoting programs that benefit ag exports, including MAP and FAS.  Hanes said he’s stepping into this role at a key time, with the Farm Bill the focus of many discussions.

“With the current mood in Washington, and the moves toward more budget cuts and reduction in programs, this is going to be a very important time for us to make sure we can get the funding for these programs that we need, and demonstrate the impact that they have to not only the ag community but I think also to the general economy as a whole.”

Hanes said he will push to get the Farm Bill passed next year.  Not only will he look to protect key programs from cuts, but he also will look to boost funding.

“The program funding hasn’t changed since I think 1994 for these programs.  So really just that loss of the impact of the programs, just to inflation is huge,” Hanes said.

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