237 years ago today an extraordinary group of men and several women – mostly farmers, by the way – put their lives and property at risk in a bold experiment to change the way they would be governed.
On this July 4th, we celebrate what is wonderful about the nation they formed and why we as farmers need good government.
We talk today about the role government plays in protecting safety and property, weather forecasting, the magnificent Alabama Cooperative Extension System, public education, and fire protection. Don’t lecture us about “getting government off our back.” We realize how much we need it!
Here’s a recent example of government in action. Graves Lovell and his assistant Jeff from the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries drove to our farm and down to the pond, used a seine to examine the fish in it, and issued us a full report with instructions to improve the fishing in it. The cost to us? Zero. Thank you, government!