Thank A Farmer – Celebrate Agriculture
Here come the hard-working patriotic farmers! Photo by Dana Raker
Where would we be without farmers?
Those hard-working individuals who care for the land and animals provide us with food, clothing, entertainment, medicine, shelter, transportation and much more! America’s farms and farmers are the most productive in the world.
Each farm annually produces enough food and fiber for 165 people, 106 in the U.S. and 59 abroad.
American consumers benefit from this bounty, and the many choices it offers, while spending less than 10 percent of their disposable income on food.
With a projected growth in global population by 2050, farmers around the world will have to grow 70 percent more food than is now produced.
Farm and ranch families account for less than two percent of the U.S. population.
Across the United States, there are 2.1 million farms with 3.2 million farm operators.
This number includes owners, their families, hired workers, tenants and renters, or sharecroppers.
Many farms today find multiple generations working together to produce food and fiber.
A study commissioned by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri Farm Bureau found agriculture remains the top industry in our state with a contribution of some $88.4 billion to the economy.
The study revealed that in 2019, agriculture provided 378,000 jobs, $2.2 billion in state/local taxes and $17.5 billion in labor income.
This information drives home the importance of agriculture.
The labors of agriculture impact our lives each day.
In addition to food, agriculture provides clothing, fuel, medicine, entertainment, sports equipment, personal care products, school supplies, and the list goes on. So, join us as we celebrate agriculture and “Thank a Farmer!” Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week is a great time to recognize the important contribution made by area farmers!
