Micheal Clements, NAFB News Service

A new questionnaire reveals the priorities for rural America of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. The American Farm Bureau Federation asked the Republican and Democratic candidates to respond with their stances on several topics directly affecting rural America. President Trump’s responses focus largely on his first-term accomplishments. He pledges a science-based approach to regulation going forward. He commits to addressing the “rural/urban divide” and emphasizes support for voluntary conservation programs.  Former Vice President Biden’s responses focus heavily on environmental sustainability and improving prosperity in rural communities. He, too, pledges to rely on experts and scientists when it comes to policies and regulation. He commits to “rebuilding the middle class” and working with farmers to achieve net-zero emissions. The answers are presented as they were received, unedited, to give farmers an unfiltered look at each candidate’s platform. AFBF has invited candidates from both parties to respond to election questionnaires for more than 40 years. The survey is available at FB.org/election2020.