The disconnect between those who produce our nation's food supply and the rest of the American public has been growing for decades. In the 1900s, 40% of the population was involved in agriculture. Today, that figure has dropped to less than 2%. This gap has fueled a lack of understanding about how food is produced and the genuine challenges farmers face.

While some congressional leaders and regulatory officials appreciate agriculture and understand rural communities, many others are disconnected from agriculture or have been swayed by inaccurate portrayals of modern farming promoted by special interest groups. These groups often paint a negative picture, suggesting that farming practices are harmful, without acknowledging the strides made by modern agriculture to improve animal welfare and ensure sustainability and food safety.

As we cast our votes this election season, we must think beyond the presidential race and stay focused on the long-term needs of agriculture. Bipartisan support is critical for meaningful progress on policy issues that directly impact farming. Good policy requires collaborative solutions. The increasing political divide and slim majorities in Congress have slowed action on key legislation, such as the farm bill. Delays in the farm bill create uncertainty, affecting necessary resources for food security and nutrition for millions of Americans.

Related:Murphy Family to return to independent pork production

Thankfully, frameworks from both the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry included priorities important to pork producers, including foreign animal disease prevention, market access programs funding, feral swine eradication provisions, National Detector Dog Training Center funding, and increased plant line speed programs. Additionally, a legislative solution to address the issues triggered by California Proposition 12 is also included.

Inaction on labor reform continues to place unnecessary burdens on farmers.  Despite higher wages and benefits, the agricultural sector is experiencing a severe labor shortage. Declining and aging rural populations exacerbate the problem. Current visa programs already fail to meet pork industry needs, and the dramatic increase in crucial guest worker TN visa denials is harming pork producers’ ability to operate. Congress must address these issues and improve access to the H-2A visa program for year-round industries and fix TN visa denials.

This year, National Pork Producers Council demonstrated its commitment to bipartisan cooperation by participating in both the Republican and Democratic national conventions to engage lawmakers, delegates and presidential representatives on key issues facing America's pork producers. Representing the industry at a national level is more important than ever as special interest groups continue to push their anti-agriculture agendas.

Related:Industry partnership aims to tackle swine wastewater

As we exercise our right to vote, please remember that our work doesn’t end at the ballot box. As an industry, we must continue to engage with our leaders to educate them about modern farming and how policy changes affect our operations. We must be a face for our industry and counter misperceptions. By doing so, we can shape positive change that ensures agriculture, especially the U.S. pork industry, thrives for years to come.