A Reflective Conversation with RB Halaby

Written by: Sarah Novak   |   October 10, 2023

Continuing my blog series on industry titans, here’s another mover and shaker: RB Halaby. RB retired from AgriCapital a few years ago, but his love for agriculture still shines through even in retirement. Every few months, RB sends an email to me about an article he’s read or something he saw that he felt the American Feed Industry Association needed to be aware of. I really got to know RB through his involvement with the AFIA’s Board of Directors. He also received the 2021 AFIA Distinguished Service Award for his continual support of the animal food industry and all of agriculture. Below is our conversation.

Q: Living in the New York City area, how did that influence your involvement in the agriculture industry?

Halaby: I have always been driven by a wanderlust and curiosity about what lies around the corner. In fact, when I was three, I gave my mother white hair when I slipped out the front door of our house to explore the neighborhood!

I also always enjoyed engaging with people to find out what they did, how and why. There is so much that is so interesting about the world that one can learn. As Michealangelo said on his death bed in his 80s, “Ancora Imparo,” which means, “I am still learning.”

After college in Boston, my wife and I drove to my first full-time job in San Francisco. We looked at the map of the U.S. and saw a blank canvas. Over a two-week period, we drove 7,000 miles zigging and zagging all over the country. What an adventure! So, I was never limited by the blinders Manhattan puts on some people

Q: As you meet people who are not involved in agriculture and you hear them talk about food or agriculture in a way that is not accurate, how do you best advocate for the industry?

Halaby: My big beef with people involved in the food chain is that they tend to put their candle under a bushel. A relatively small number of people feed an ever-increasing number of consumers economically, healthily and under environmental challenges. Arrogance is not a character trait that comes naturally to people in the food business, but standing on a soap box and beating your chest occasionally is necessary. It is so important for the public in general to understand and appreciate what we do. We need to explain what we do, patiently and consistently. Saying it once is not enough.

Q: What is the one thing everyone in the animal food industry should do each day?

Halaby: Look out the window, take a deep breath, and remember that every sip of milk and every bite of meat consumed starts out with a bag of animal food.

Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge for animal agriculture in the future?

Halaby: When many people talk about animal agriculture, two concerns are expressed: the humane treatment of animals and the environmental costs of raising animals. It is imperative that we address both issues head on. Yes, we treat animals humanely and the environmental “cost” is not what it is exaggerated to be if you look at the sustainability gains we have made over decades.

Q: Having served on several agriculture boards, you were known to ask tough questions – what has been the toughest question you asked?

Halaby: That’s an easy question, I’m known for asking “WHY?” Always think about the WHY you are doing what you are doing. WHY will this help make the situation better? WHY has it always been done that way?

Q: What has kept you busy now that you are fully retired?

Halaby: When you retire, you quickly discover you have nothing to do and a lot of time to do it!

(Ha! Not really!) I have become very active in local and municipal politics. Most people tend to be interested in national politics and international developments, but to me, democracy dies in your backyard. My hometown of Ridgewood, N.J., is a great community, but we have our challenges, and I work hard to ensure the best local government we can have.

I am also catching up on my reading, mostly history and travel. Among other places, Cyntia and I have sailed from Greenland to Nome, Alaska, along the Northwest Passage, and we have sailed the South Atlantic, including Antarctica. I have visited all seven continents.