Ditch meat and support farmers

With American farmers expressing frustration over Argentinian beef bailouts, perhaps this moment calls for a broader conversation. Instead of fighting over who supplies meat, we could embrace a future where we rely less on beef altogether, creating a safer, more self-sufficient country. Plant-based agriculture strengthens local economies, diversifies rural income, and protects our soil and water.

Farmers deserve stability, and the most stable future is one that isn’t tied to commodity meat markets that rise and crash.

By shifting toward plant-based crops—oats, legumes, hemp, specialty vegetables—farmers can meet growing consumer demand and participate in a booming industry.

This isn’t about choosing one country’s cows over another’s. It’s about supporting American farmers by embracing a sustainable system that works for everyone.

Cecil Roper

Cedar Rapids