Chris Gibbs guest speaker at Hi-TEC Center event  

By Pat Lawrence
Highland County Democrat Party

Chris Gibbs, Ohio’s Democratic Rural Caucus director, offered information and encouragement in his remarks at the Hi-TEC Center in Hillsboro on Feb. 9. 

In a wide-ranging discussion of rural and agricultural issues, the lifelong farmer from Shelby County addressed some of the issues most affecting farmers. 

“Farmers are interested in markets, regulation and costs. US agriculture is in a cash flow, working capital crisis," Gibbs said. "This is another year of below-production costs, especially corn and soybeans, which have not gone down since COVID-19. We have lost our export markets. Steel, aluminum and lumber are all tariffed. Dairies, construction, crop harvesting and meat packing have all been seriously affected by immigration. 

"Supply chains are messed up. Getting parts for farm equipment is a nightmare; even a tractor made in the USA uses parts from China, Japan and Canada. Monopolization of things farmers need most-seeds, fertilizers, meat packing-eliminates pricing and product options. And, the cuts to research will make us less competitive in the future.”

An active Republican for years, Gibbs long held office in the local Republican party. Although he left the party over tariffs and trade, he understands the reluctance of legacy Republicans. 

“Change is hard, but, like a lot of us, I needed a different political place, one where family farmers can be heard,” he said.

Gibbs, who also worked for the USDA for over two decades, reminded the audience that what happens to farmers matters to everyone. 

“Farmers don’t sit on their money, they spend it. When they don’t have it, it impacts the entire community,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs also shared some of the results from his recent nine-stop, fact-finding mission across the state which focused on rural and agricultural communities. 

He said, “Rural voters are not so much issue or policy voters-they are value voters. They want candidates that are honest, have integrity, want to work and are dedicated to service. They are tired of the vitriol but they are angry, and people vote weird when they are mad.”

He offered suggestions for addressing the situation. “We need balance in our political arena. We all have to have a voice. We need candidates who will come into our communities and take the time to listen. We need to make sure those candidates share our values so they will craft legislation and design policies that reflect those values. We have to look for, and find, solutions for people, not play politics.”