Let’s Gather Together to Celebrate Ag
By Klodette Stroh
March 18 marks National Ag Day. This is a time when producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America gather to recognize and celebrate the abundant production of commodities provided by U.S. agriculture.
The first National Ag Day was celebrated on the first day of spring on March 21, 1973.
I truly believe America has been blessed by our loving God who works in partnership with farmers to provide food, fiber, clothing and shelter for our people and gives our growers the ability to provide for our growing country and abroad.
The world population will reach nine billion by 2050, and there will be millions of new mouths to feed, many of whom rely on U.S. food production.
According to the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), one-fourth of the world’s beef and nearly one-fifth of the world’s grain, milk and eggs are produced by American farmers. One farmer produces enough food for 166 people.
In these difficult economic times, U.S. agriculture feeds American people, as well as adding $1.5 trillion to the U.S. economy.
As farmers, my husband Rick and I are always eager to keep up with new techniques to improve our farming practices. Using modern technology has boosted our crop yields and has reduced waste.
Farmers use satellite maps and computers to match seed, fertilizer and crop protection applications to local soil conditions. No one is more committed to protect the land than the American farmer.
The U.S. agriculture sector extends beyond the farm business to include a range of farm-related industries. Agriculture, food and related industries contributed 5.5 percent to U.S. gross domestic product and provide 10.4 percent of U.S. employment.
U.S. consumers’ expenditures on food amount to 12.9 percent of household budgets, on average. Among federal government expenditures on farm and food programs, nutrition assistance far outpaces other programs.
A prime example of employment opportunities is America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane industry. The U.S. sugar industry provides 142,000 direct and indirect jobs with almost $20 billion in economic impact in our nation, and it operates at no cost to our government.
The history of agriculture goes back to the birth of America. George Washington, the father of our nation, suggested Congress establish a National Board of Agriculture in 1799. Agriculture was the steppingstone which our young nation needed to start.
In the 1800s, the average annual value of agriculture exports was $23 million, which accounted for 75 percent of total exports. Today, agriculture contributes over $1.5 trillion to our economy, and it is a renewable industry.
U.S. agriculture should not be compromised. It is the cornerstone of our culture and financial system. Over 22 million jobs are related directly to agriculture. American farmers contribute more than $170 billion in renewable wealth annually. They provide food, fiber and security for the citizens of this great nation.
Believe me when I say no foreign country will provide the safe, bountiful and affordable food like our own American farmers, who feed U.S. military, seniors, children and all American citizens.
The farm family was the basic unit shaping life in America. The farm bill has been designed to assist the American public.
Please bear in mind, U.S. agriculture must be treated as one, united industry. We must make sure all producers are treated fairly in the upcoming farm bill. It is because of our farmers that America is the food basket of the world.
Klodette Stroh is the sugar chairman for Women Involved in Farm Economics. She can be reached at strohfarms@tritel.net.
