Farm Progress America, Jan. 9, 2025

Mike Pearson takes a look at how President Jimmy Carter's impacted agriculture on this National Day or Mourning.

Carter served as president from 1977-1981. His administration gained ground on conservation but this grain embargo sent prices falling and hurt farmers.

President Carter was shaped by his past as a farmer and his administration's dedication to balancing foreign and domestic policy.

Carter's administration introduced policies centered around conservation practices which meant a concentration on soil health which led to conservation becoming integral to American farmers today.

He also was involved in advancements in agriculture to ensure American farmers had the latest technology.

Carter was also one of the first to create renewable fuel policy which led to ethanol gaining traction when he was president.

The grain embargo which stopped wheat from being exported to the USSR during his president thought hurt American farmers. The embargo had a profound impact on agriculture mainly in the Midwest.

The embargo caused grain prices to plummet and the low prices were on the farmer's shoulders leaving many in financial distress.

The embargo also damaged the farmer's reputation in foreign trading and sent Russia to find alternative grain sources.

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This forced farmers to regain trust in foreign markets.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness .