Have you ever stopped to take a moment and think what it takes to get food on your plate?
Farmers, indeed, are the backbone of America, but they’re the ones who get the least thanks. No matter the weather conditions or whatever life throws their way, they are out there every day serving. So, this National Gratitude Month, we will share with you all the ways farmers help us and how we can be grateful to our farmers and support them not only this month but all year.
How Farmers Help Us:
1. Farmers Provide Access to Food
Many Americans enjoy an abundant food supply thanks to farmers’ hard work. Did you know that an acre of Kansas wheat produces enough bread to feed nearly 9,000 people for one day? Or that Minnesota ranks first in the nation for sugar beet crops, sweet corn for processing, and green peas for processing? Crazy, right?!
2. Your Wardrobe Wouldn’t Be the Same Without Them
If your closet is full of T-shirts and other cotton apparel, thank a farmer! Arizona cotton farms produce enough top-grade cotton annually to make one pair of jeans for every American. And don’t forget to thank sheep farmers for your cozy wool sweaters and scarves.
3. They Work in any Weather Conditions
Farmers typically work long hours, often starting early in the morning and finishing late at night, to tend to their crops and livestock. They work in all types of weather, whether it's scorching heat or pouring rain, as their work is mainly dependent on the seasons. So, even when the weather gets cold, and snow is on the ground, or if it’s a rainy day, Farmers are working and serving us.
4. Farmers Strengthen our Economy
In 2018, $140 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported, proving that farmers strengthen the global economy. Wheat is Montana’s No.1 export, with nearly 75 percent sent to Asian markets. Domestically, agriculture employs more than 24 million Americans (17% of the U.S. workforce). Talk about the importance of farmers!
5. They’re Helping Protect Bees — and Other Wildlife
Did you know that 2018 was the 14th consecutive year North Dakota ranked first in the nation for honey production? The state has nearly 500,000 bee colonies and produced 33 million pounds of honey in 2017. With so many bees sheltered for production purposes, beekeepers contribute to protecting non-human lives. In Wyoming, farmers and ranchers even provide a critical winter habitat for 75% of the state’s wildlife.
How We Can Support Our Farmers:
1. Shop at Your Local Farmers’ Market
This allows you to develop a connection with your farmers and to ask questions about how the crops were grown. Shopping at the farmers’ market also supports eating seasonally because you will only find produce that’s in season, unlike conventional grocery stores. When fruits and vegetables are in season, they are more nutrient-dense. It also means that there will be less of a carbon footprint because the produce that is sold in grocery stores that is not in season has to come from thousands of miles away in areas that have different climates and growing conditions.
2. Visit a Local Farm to See How Your Food is Grown
You will see how much planning and hard work it takes to ensure the produce is grown to perfection. What you’ll also find is that farmers have to come up with savvy strategies to keep insects and pests from ruining their crops. Unfortunately, farmers work with tight profit margins, so their profitability from all of their hard work is undervalued and unseen. But without farmers, how would you get food on your plate?
As you can see, there is plenty to be grateful to Farmers for. It is essential to connect with the food system as the ever-evolving food production channels continue to move toward more processed and packaged food—taking you further away from the source. So, the next time you are in your grocery store, take a moment to look at all of the food that is available at your fingertips. While at work and going through your daily tasks, remember there is a remarkable food system operating to help you get food on your plate without you even thinking about it. So, thank a Farmer today and every day.
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