Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week
Our changing economy illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever. Farmers and ranchers provide the food, feed, fuel and fiber that serves consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Thanks to Missouri farmers, consumers can also find locally sourced food and goods. Consumers around the world enjoy what our farmers and ranchers produce.
Missouri Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus throughout Missouri are joining forces to celebrate the importance of agriculture from March 1-7 during Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week!
According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, “A 2021 study of the economic contribution of Missouri agriculture and forestry showed that agriculture is a $93.7 billion industry.” Missouri agriculture employs almost 460,000 people. The state is ranked in the top 10 of 12 commodities including, number of farms, goats, beef cattle, poultry, hay, rice and cotton.
With all that they produce, it is remarkable that farm and ranch families account for less than two percent of the U.S. population. Across the United States, there are two 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.
With 98 percent of the population removed from production agriculture it becomes even more important to recognize the hard work and dedication of those involved in the industry that is considered the “backbone of our nation”!
During Thank a Farmer week the Scotland County Farm Bureau will present books to the 3rd and 5th grade at SCR-I, provide meals to selected individuals at Lacey’s dinner, Keith’s café and the Catfish Place. The SC Farm Bureau will join forces with the Adair/Schuyler County Farm Bureau and be guests on KMEM Coffee Break program. The Scotland County Commissioners will sign a proclamation in honor of this special week also. The local Bureau teamed up with the Memphis FFA assisting with the yearly pitch card party that was held on February 22.
Picture cut line:
Scotland County Commissioners sign proclamation dedicating the week of March 1-7 as Thank a Farmer Week, pictured are: Eastern commissioner Brent Rockhold, Scotland County Farm Bureau president Bill Cottrell, Presiding Commissioner Duane Ebeling and Western commissioner David Wiggins.
