Reflecting on Agriculture’s Early Pioneers and Contemporary Leaders

Cyndie Shearing

Director, Communications

The history of the United States is written in every row of crops, every pasture and every type of barn or shelter that protects dairy and beef cattle, poultry and other livestock from sea to sea. The American Farm Bureau Federation is marking the nation's 250th anniversary through FARM 250, a celebration of the vital role farmers and ranchers have played in shaping the country. It's also an opportunity to reflect on those who helped lay the foundation - individuals who could be described as founding fathers of agriculture.

George Washington Carver was a pioneering Black agricultural scientist and educator whose research began in the late 1890s and continued until his death in 1943. His efforts laid the foundation for the transformation of crop farming in the Southern U.S. This included farmers' widespread adoption of crop rotation to improve soil health. He also promoted techniques for planting crops such as peanuts and sweet potatoes, which enrich soil. His pioneering work in principles of sustainable agriculture and conservation are still studied and implemented today.

Carver is also recognized for his decades of work at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University in Alabama) where he developed education programs for poor farmers, many of whom had formerly been enslaved.

No discussion of agriculture's pioneers would be complete without Dr. Norman Borlaug, widely recognized as the "Father of the Green Revolution."

In the 1960s, Borlaug, an agronomist, led a team that developed high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat varieties. His promotion of these new wheat varieties and advanced farming practices are credited with dramatically increasing food production worldwide, especially in Mexico and South Asia.

Borlaug's groundbreaking work helped prevent mass famine across the globe, saving millions of people from starvation. He was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his use of science to solve a real-world problem.

One of America's founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, was also an early champion of American agriculture. His orchestration of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was a significant achievement, nearly doubling our young nation's size with the acquisition of 870,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River from France. This set the stage for westward exploration and settlement by farmers, traders and their families in search of land and economic opportunity.

On a smaller scale, Jefferson's garden at Monticello in Virginia was where he applied his analytic mindset to dozens of vegetable varieties from around the world. Successes and failures for each were meticulously recorded in his Garden Book, a journal where he noted seed planting dates, when leaves appeared and when each crop was ready to eat.

Although his legacy is complicated, Jefferson continues to influence agricultural education today. One example is the book "First Peas to the Table" (2012) by Susan Grigsby, which introduces young students to his agricultural experiments through a classroom gardening challenge.

It's interesting to imagine what these three visionaries - Carver, Borlaug and Jefferson - would think about agriculture if they were alive today. I'm optimistic that they would join Farm Bureau in celebrating America's farmers for their continued resilience and all that they do to feed families and advance innovation, while being mindful stewards of the land.

I also think they would recognize that agriculture's story is still being written today, with leadership of the nation's farmers and ranchers a key driver behind how it plays out. Three contemporary leaders in agriculture stand out to me personally: two on the national stage that I've been fortunate to work with during my career in agricultural communications over the past three decades - and one much closer to home.

Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle producer from Texas, served as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation from 2000-2016, a tenure during which he elevated Farm Bureau's role as a leading policy voice for farmers and ranchers in Washington, D.C. He was a steadfast advocate on farm policy, trade and regulatory issues affecting agriculture, earning respect across the agriculture and food industries and using that influence to foster dialogue with consumers and lawmakers alike.

Widely recognized as a "champion of agriculture" and influential farm leader, Stallman led AFBF through a significant retooling for the 21st century, including relocating the organization's headquarters from Chicago to Washington, D.C., to strengthen its policy presence.

In 2017, AFBF honored Stallman with its Distinguished Service Award, the organization's highest honor, established in 1928 to recognize individuals who have devoted their careers to serving the national interest of American agriculture. He credits his lifelong interest in farm policy to attending a state hearing on water regulation as a young farmer.

Following Stallman's tenure, third-generation Georgia farmer Zippy Duvall was elected president of the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2016. A beef cattle and poultry farmer, he often emphasizes the importance of direct engagement with consumers and policymakers, encouraging farmers to tell their stories and build trust in modern agriculture. His presidency has been characterized by a focus on servant leadership and relationship-building across agriculture and government. This includes strengthening connections across Farm Bureau's federated structure, encompassing all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Over the past decade, his influence has contributed to policy wins and a stronger national voice for agriculture. With natural disasters and economic disruptions increasingly common, his focus is often on ensuring farmers and ranchers can continue producing food.

Most recently, he continues to press the point with Congress that after years of economic pressure, farm families need the stability and certainty that comes with a new, modernized farm bill. He has also made agricultural labor reform a top priority, recognizing that access to a reliable workforce remains one of the top concerns facing farmers and ranchers.

The same values that have shaped Farm Bureau leadership at the national level are forged every day on family farms.

David Shearing, my father, is a retired dairy farmer and longtime county Farm Bureau leader still going strong at nearly 86 years old. He instilled a strong work ethic and a cooperative spirit in my two brothers and me long before "teamwork" became part of the everyday business lexicon.

Case in point: the three of us, all under the age of 10, did chores on our New York dairy farm every day after school. One day, one of my brothers finished early and went inside. When my dad discovered this, he brought the two of us still on the job with him into the house and delivered a lesson that went something like this:

"When one of you finishes your chores, you go find someone who is not done. You help him or her finish. Then the two of you find the third, and you all work together until everything is done. Then you can come inside. Understand?"

It was a simple lesson, but one that has stayed with me and also reflects the enduring spirit of American agriculture: We are stronger when we work together and the work is never truly done until everyone is finished.