Previous Weeks
Barack Hussein Obama – a Retrospective
January 19 2017
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This is Rick Frank sitting in for John Block. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
Until next week, I am Rick Frank for John Block from Washington, D.C.
And now for today’s commentary—
As we prepare to launch the Trump Administration, I thought it useful and…
Priorities for 2017
January 12 2017
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
We know some people are not happy to see Donald Trump move into the White House. However, many others are very excited. Just go to rural America. Farmers, ranchers, and most red states…
Last Minute Executive Orders
January 5 2017
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
Since 1981, I have seen, watched, and participated in a number of changes of power in the White House. President Obama committed to a smooth transition of power to PresidentElect Trump.…
New Year 2017
December 28 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
The new year is upon us. 2017, like any new year, presents many unknowns – perhaps even more this year. I want to review where we are at today and look at where we may be going next…
Merry Christmas
December 22 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
Merry Christmas to everyone out there. This is the most celebrated holiday of the year and has been since our nation was founded. It seems like so many things come together and change right…
Vilsak Eight Years
December 14 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
Last week, I – along with 2 other former Secretaries of Agriculture (Ann Veneman and Dan Glickman) – attended the portrait unveiling ceremony of Secretary Tom Vilsack at the Department of…
Trade Undersecretary
December 7 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
There is a lot of talk today abut the next farm bill. What will be in it? When will we get it done? But I think the ag industry should remind the new Secretary of Agriculture when Donald…
Cuba and More
December 1 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere, the National Corn Growers Association, and CropLife America. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
I want to review a few issues today as we plan our farming operation and look over the horizon at next year’s opportunities and challenges. U.S. farm income this year is expected to be down…
Thanksgiving
November 24 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere and the National Corn Growers Association. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
I’m not talking about politics or President-Elect Donald Trump today. Let’s be thankful for our good fortune to be here in America this Thanksgiving weekend. The celebration of Thanksgiving dates back to our…
Rural America Speaks Up
November 17 2016
Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by John Deere and the National Corn Growers Association. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.
And now for today’s commentary—
Now that the election is over, Democrats are trying to figure out what went wrong. Not only will they lose the White House in January, they did not get control of the Senate and gained very little in the…