New Smithsonian display shows how ag helped make America great
As far back as 2009, Illinois farmer Sharon Covert had discussions with Smithsonian Institution staff about its agriculture exhibits. Her efforts are paying off now that the new American Enterprise exhibit is open at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
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She and several other U.S. farmers advised on the exhibit, helping curators craft authentic displays and messages. Covert, pictured above, recently enjoyed an advance look at the exhibit and offered her thoughts.
Q: What was your initial reaction to seeing the American Enterprise exhibit?
A: I think all farmers should be pleased that the museum wanted to include agriculture. They do it in chronological order, through different eras of U.S. history, and agriculture is included throughout.
Since the very beginning of colonization in America, farming and agriculture have been an essential part of America’s life. Everybody’s interested in their food, and it’s still important and relevant in our lives today. Agriculture plays a huge role in the history of America.
Q: Does the exhibit represent agriculture well?
A: It would be very difficult to capture everything about agriculture in an exhibit because there are many facets. But I think they made a real attempt to give people a little knowledge about agriculture.
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One thing that comes to mind is the Farming Challenge, where you can sit down and make some decisions like a farmer. People learn that it’s a real business and we have to make business decisions. Some of them work out and some don’t work out as well.
They have a screen where you can bring up whether you want to grow soybeans, whether you want to farm in a traditional method or no-till method, do you want to sell your crop now or do you want to sell it later. Like in any farming operation, there are some decisions to be made in this simulation that make it realistic. You can make good choices, and then the weather comes along and doesn’t cooperate; so, it’s fairly realistic.
I thought that was an interesting way to talk about modern agriculture, because it is a real business and your profitability depends upon the decisions that you make.
Q: Does the exhibit let visitors draw their own conclusions about farming?
A: I think it does. We all have choices and it shows both sides of the story on topics like biotechnology and organic. The information is portrayed in a way that lets people make their own decisions. The museum is not into telling people how they should feel about a subject.
One of the things that I think is important is that we are able to be a resource for the staff at the Smithsonian going forward. We can help in offering lesson plans for teachers or programs that they put on.
They’re also interested in having lectures and bringing in experts to talk about agriculture. Those are all opportunities that are out there in the future because we made the connection with the museum.
Q: Would you recommend that farmers and those in the agriculture industry visit the exhibit?
A: I certainly would. They have to remember that it’s not an agricultural exhibit, it’s an exhibit about the history of American business, and certainly agriculture is a part of that.
Americans haven’t had to worry about our food supply. If you don’t have food for your family, that’s first and foremost on your mind. Innovation and business have been possible because we haven’t had to worry about food – farmers provided. If we don’t have to worry about food, we are free to be creative and ingenious, which is what makes America great.