DORCHESTER, Neb.— In the next few months, an RV will be making its way across the country sharing the stories of farmers to the public and government.

The first stop for the Motorcade for Trade is in Dorchester.

Representative Adrian Smith was a featured guest, telling farmers he hopes America never take for granted where their food comes from.

“We heard some folks opposed to tariffs, now, that we never heard from before.” Smith said, “I think that’s elevating the conversation in coffee shops across America. That’s healthy. And as these conversations and discussions, call them arguements from time to time those are bound to happen. But I think that increases understanding and awareness.”

The speakers in Dorchester all underscored how essential trade is to Nebraska’s economy. Especially for those in the agricultural sector.

Even in the face of challenges like high input costs and low commodity prices.

Ultimately the hope is that the RV’s trip across the county and further discussion in places like Dorchester will help the public sympathize with the potential issues many farmers are facing. While encouraging elected officials to place an even higher importance on trade.

“Cause one thing we know is that farm country is hurting. Right?” Executive Director, Farmers for Free Trade Brian Keuhl said, “We’re on the verge of a farm crisis, eventually it catches up. And what you’ll start to see is illiquidity. You’ll start to see farm bankruptcies and foreclosures, and those are real tragic, personal, real stories.”

“The trick now is do we have to- we have to get done.” Nebraska Farm Bureau board president Mark McHargue said, “We thanked them for making sure that agricultural is apart of all these trading conversations. Which is not a given and has not been a given in the past, it is a part of it but they really aren’t doing us any good until we actually get some sells.”

That Smith says is a way to correct some of the acute economic issues that Nebraska farmers must endure.

“You know we landed the plane on tax policy, that’s going to be good for the economy. And when we can land the plane on trade policy, I think that can be good for the economy as well,” Smith said.