b'Demand American Grown: Lawton Bud Chiles III, executive director of American Grown, Inc.the USMCA is expected to create more market access for farmers across the nation to export products to Mexico and For too long people haveCanada. had the wool pulled overWhile most U.S. farmers and ranchers consider the USMCA an economic victory, many Southeast produce farmers their eyes on wherearent celebrating. their food comes from. We went from NAFTA to USMCA and gained no benefits It starts with education.for fruit and vegetable growers, says Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable We need consumers toGrowers Association (GFVGA), which serves more than 500 members. Our trade issues with Mexico are still the same; be aware of where theirnothing got better with USMCA. food comes from, and thenSince the inception of NAFTA in 1994, Southeast U.S. farmers have struggled financially as low-priced fruits pressure retailers to carryand vegetables from Mexico continue to flood American markets, especially during domestic in-season months. American grown products NAFTA and now USMCA present our biggest problem, in the grocery stores. says Goodman. Its hypocritical of the U.S. government to expect farmers to grow food with the environmental - LAWTON BUD CHILES III and labor regulations that are in place, while also allowing Mexico to import food that does not adhere to the same standards. 30 SG MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2020'