Advocating for International Affairs

On June 18, CNFA Chair Elin Miller, CNFA Board member Doug Keesling and I attended the 2018 U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) State Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.

Over the past few years, CNFA’s membership in USGLC — a nonpartisan network of 500 businesses and NGOs with representatives in all 50 states — has provided many opportunities to hear from a broad range of important voices advocating for continued U.S. investment in international affairs.

These investments are included in the budgets allocated to the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Millennium Challenge Corp., and other organizations covered by the nation’s larger international affairs budget.

In the grand scheme of things, these are relatively modest investments. For the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2018, the government’s international affairs budget represents only 1.4 percent of the total federal budget. That compares to 18.9 percent for Defense, 12.58 percent for Medicare, and 20.5 percent for Social Security.

It goes without saying that international affairs investments are CNFA’s lifeblood. Without appropriate levels of investment in international affairs, CNFA likely would struggle to achieve its mission of cultivating entrepreneurship to stimulate economic growth and improve livelihoods.

During last month’s USGLC Summit, our CNFA delegation attended a panel discussion at which General Paul J. Selva, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shared this critical assessment:

“Dollar for dollar, every dollar spent on diplomacy and development is immensely more effective … than having to deploy soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines to a crisis where we have to fix a problem.”

General Selva’s statement is right on target. Every time an organization like CNFA implements an economic growth project funded by USAID or other federal agencies, we make a direct contribution to a more stable and secure world.

The dynamic is simple, and easy to understand: When people in poor and emerging economies have jobs and enjoy better agricultural productivity, they are less inclined to migrate and/or be indoctrinated by extremist ideologies.

And there are other benefits. When we perform our humble mission thanks to funding from the U.S. Government, we not only contribute to a better world, but we also support development of U.S. export markets — and create jobs for people right here in the United States.

The cherry on the top of this model is the fact that international agricultural development investment provides among the best returns on investment in the entire international affairs budget. Every dollar invested in agricultural development generates four dollars toward new U.S. jobs, additional U.S. food production and greater U.S. access to health services.

To demonstrate, consider the following question: What is the first action taken by people moving out of poverty into the middle class? The answer: Improving diet through the intake of additional protein such as dairy, meat, fish and poultry. And what is the primary feed ingredient used to produce that animal and fish protein? Soybeans, you say? And who is the world’s leading soy producer and exporter? You guessed it.

But of course, it’s not all about monetary returns. Our efforts also help to alleviate global poverty, expand opportunities for youth and women, fight infectious diseases and save lives.

CNFA also deploys hundreds of U.S. “citizen diplomats” every year in about 20 countries, helping to disseminate American values and know-how — and opening the eyes of our hosts to give them a better understanding of the American people. Our diplomats also benefit by returning home with informed insights into the differences within the world community. Year after year, a new cohort of our American volunteers generate these achievements through the Farmer-to-Farmer program and other efforts.

Farmer-to-Farmer, South Africa

Better yet, all the benefits cited above are achieved at a relatively low cost compared with the potential negative consequences of not making these international affairs investments: a less safe and secure world, shakier markets, and social and economic casualties.

It is upon us to become an advocate for our country’s investment in international affairs. One of the first steps in our advocacy efforts should be to multiply the power of our public voice by explaining to our family, friends and colleagues the critical importance of investing in international affairs for the welfare of our own country.

Get them interested. After all, the budget for international affairs is coming from them as taxpayers. They should know how wisely their money is being used — and how unwise it would be to stop.

So please, take just a few minutes this summer to champion our cause to the people around us. By investing just a few minutes — at a BBQ, a dinner with friends, a day at the beach — we can raise awareness, create support, and keep the money coming in for this critically important effort.

Because if we fail to continue these investments, the nation will discover too late how important they are.

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CNFA (Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture)

We stimulate economic growth and improve livelihoods by cultivating entrepreneurship.