Thank a Farmer Week
The Missouri farm Bureau is reminding the community that agriculture impacts lives daily. Thanks to farmers in Missouri and around the world consumers have food choices, clothing, transportation, shelter and so much more. Missouri Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureau’s across the state are joining forces to celebrate the importance of agriculture, February 2-8, during Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week!
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in Missouri dropped from 99,171 on 28.5 million acres of land in 2012 to 95,320 on 27.8 million acres. Despite the drop in farm numbers and acreage, Missouri continues to rank among the top 10 states in production of major commodities and provides an $88.4 billion economic impact.
America’s farms and farmers are the most productive in the world. Each farm annually produces enough food and fiber for 166 people, 106 in the U.S. and 60 abroad. American consumers benefit from this bounty, yet spend less than 10 percent of their disposable income on food. By 2050 the global population is expected to increase by 2.2 million people. Farmers will have to grow about 70 percent more food than is now produced.
With all that they produce, it is remarkable that farm and ranch families account for less than 2 percent of the U.S. population. Across the United States, there are 2 million farms with 3.4 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 recent study commissioned by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri Farm Bureau confirmed that agriculture is the top industry in our state with a contribution of some $88.4 billion to the economy. The study further revealed that 378,232 jobs, $2.2 billion in state/local taxes and $17.5 billion in labor income are derived from agriculture. Agriculture matters to all of us. Food, clothing, fuel, medicine, entertainment, sports equipment, personal care products, school supplies, the list goes on – all would be much different without it.
So, join Farm Bureau to help celebrate agriculture and Thank a Farmer.
“Agriculture is important to our daily lives and our community,” said Scotland County farm Bureau president Greg Probst. “Because 98 percent of the population doesn’t farm, it is easy to take for granted the importance of our farmers. Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week is a great time to recognize the
