American Ranchers
I don't know about you, but I have been amazed with ranchers this week.I've seen people who don't even have Facebook, open Twitter accounts in hopes of getting the attention of our President.I've seen an outpouring of support behind hundreds of men and women who are trying to advocate for the American cattle rancher.We are finally standing up for ourselves.We have no choice.We are fighting this uphill battle with our voices, supporting one another, and telling our stories because ranching isn't a job. It is our livelihood.We are stewards of the land. We are the protectors of wildlife, we are the ones caring for our livestock, we are the ones caring for the environment. We wouldn't be able to have these operations if we blatantly destroyed the land and the environment, as we are constantly accused of.Ranchers are under attack from a hundred directions - activists, politicians, environmentalists, and the list goes on. I believe they see us as the low-hanging fruit. They know they can say awful, untrue things, and we will have an equally awful knee-jerk reaction that will make our industry look even worse. They think we are uneducated hillbillies, who sleep in barns and use outhouses.They are wrong, and it's about damn time we show them who ranchers really are.I am hopeful that President Trump hears our calls to action. I am hopeful that the Big Four packing plants have to answer for the way they've unfairly hurt the American cattle producers. I am hopeful that the NCBA will wake up and support the cattle rancher- those are our dollars after all, that pay for their programs - and if not, then I am hopeful that President Trump looks to get these mandatory check off programs repealed.I am grateful to be part of an industry that is full of hardworking, passionate, intelligent people who just want nothing more than to be allowed to do what they do best. Support your local ranchers. We don't need a thank you or a hand out, we are just asking for a chance to be heard.The support means more than you will ever know.❤ Richelle Barrett