28: The Politics of Standing Up for Farmers with John Barlow

The Politics of Standing Up for FarmersWhy governments need to actually listen before they regulateCanadian agriculture has enormous potential. The land, producers, knowledge, innovation, and markets are there. But too often, the people who grow and raise our food are treated as an afterthought in the decisions that shape their future.In this episode of The Future Herd, Jesse Hirsh speaks with John Barlow, Member of Parliament for Foothills and a long-time voice on agricultural issues in Ottawa, about what it means to stand up for farmers in Canadian politics.The conversation explores the gap between consultation and actually listening, the growing disconnect between food literacy and farm literacy, and why food security depends on treating producers as partners rather than obstacles. Barlow discusses regulatory burden, the CFIA traceability debate, the role of research and innovation, the importance of stronger agricultural advocacy, and why governments need to understand the practical realities of farming before making rules that affect the people closest to the land.At its core, this episode is about respect: for farmers, ranchers, rural communities, practical knowledge, and the people who feed the country.Because food security starts long before food reaches the grocery store. It starts with listening to farmers.