rancher financing, I was able to visit a number of cities in the mid-West---Des Moines, Twin Cities, Omaha, Milwaukee, Madison. It seems like the USDA liked to alternate cities like those to host 2-3 meetings.

A lot of them have a decent steakhouse or two and try to source local foods. Some good memories.

One memory really sticks. I think this happened in the Cities. It was Super Tuesday in 2008. I was attending a meeting in a coalition of minority farmers and ranchers--specifically Hispanic, American Indian and African American.

I remember being in a lobby with these folks where we gathered to watch the Super Tuesday results. Obama was starting to get some serious buzz; it would prove to be a night that vaulted him into a primary lead. I remember very clearly an older African American farmer pronounce with certainly that there was no way this country would let an African American become President. This pronouncement came very early in the evening.

Well, Obama pretty well mopped up that night. I though often about that guy. I was glad America proved him wrong.