Agriculture, Food Groups Begin to React

September 13, 2001

Agriculture and food organizations have begun to react to Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in the Washington, DC, area. At the federal level, USDA reopened its administration and South buildings Wednesday with many individual offices unmanned as people continued to stay home with their families.

The America's Second Harvest network said its affiliates in the neighboring areas of New York, Washington, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey will be used to collect and distribute food products from across the national network. However, Second Harvest asked that people who wish to get involved make cash donations rather than in-kind donations. "Cash donations are the most effective way for us to get the necessary food items to our affiliates in the impacted areas," the organization said.

American Meat Institute offices were opened Wednesday. The attack on the Pentagon occurred in full view of the AMI offices in downtown Arlington, VA. The Pentagon is located about three miles south of AMI offices.

AMI said it had received numerous letters and calls from associates around the world expressing sorrow and outrage at the attacks. Also, AMI canceled the U.S. Hide Skin and Leather Association Conference scheduled for today and Friday in Chicago at the Swiss Hotel. In addition, AMI canceled the Worker Safety/Human Resources Conference Planning Meeting scheduled for Friday in Chicago. No plans to reschedule the meeting have been made yet.

The American Farm Bureau Federation posted a notice on its web site offering the prayers of its members for the victims of the tragedies in New York and at the Pentagon.

For its part, the National Corn Growers Association also offered prayers and condolences to the victims and families of the terrorist actions and suspended its "News of the Day" web site for the remainder of the week. "In its place, we are proudly displaying the American Flag, which we encourage all Americans to do. We also encourage you to set aside differences, donate blood and remember these fellow Americans in your thoughts and prayers," NCGA said.

National Farmers Union members, in Washington this week to discuss agricultural policy improvements, suspended scheduled congressional visits in respect for the victims of the tragedies. The 260 farmers and ranchers from 24 states instead focused their efforts toward safe return travel and prayer for those directly affected by the events.

"We realize we are in the midst of a great emergency that needs the attention of the entire nation," said NFU President Leland Swenson. "Congress' full attention should be on the crisis at hand, as is ours. The shock, dismay and sorrow are felt deeply by our members who were here in Washington to witness this horrific tragedy," Swenson said. "More importantly, our collective and individual prayers and thoughts go out to the victims and their families."