A marquee Gratiot County farm welcomed not your everyday visitor Aug. 2 in the form of a federal commodity-trading official who came to Michigan to get better acquainted with the industry her new position helps regulate.
Christy Goldsmith Romero is the newest member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the D.C.-based agency responsible for regulating commodity trading markets. She was sworn in March 30 of this year after her unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
A policy leader well versed in banking/financial regulation — but still learning about agriculture — Goldsmith Romero came to Michigan for a crash course in “ag 101” with which to better inform her decision-making inside the Beltway. She met with ag-industry leaders and toured several ag facilities, including Crumbaugh Legacy Farms in Gratiot County.
Showcasing their multi-generational crop farm were Gratiot County Farm Bureau member Clay Crumbaugh and his sons Kyle and Logan, who raise corn, soybeans, dry beans and sugar beets outside St. Louis. They introduced Goldsmith Romero to some of the challenges and opportunities operations like theirs face in the 21st century.
“We really appreciate Commissioner Goldsmith Romero’s interest in learning more about agriculture in Michigan,” said Loren Koeman, Michigan Farm Bureau’s lead economist and manager of industry, conservation and regulatory relations. “The Crumbaughs were great hosts and offered the commissioner an opportunity to see an outstanding Michigan farm.”
In addition to several Farm Bureau representatives, Goldsmith Romero’s tour also saw her visiting with Michigan Agri-Business Association officials, commodity group leaders and sites including Michigan Agricultural Commodities in Breckenridge, Star of the West Milling in Frankenmuth and Zeeland Farm Services in Ithaca.