Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week
Bates
County, Missouri – Missouri Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus throughout the
state are joining forces to celebrate the importance of agriculture from March
2-8 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 for 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.
Recently
at the Missouri Capitol, MO State Representatives Sherri Gallick and Dane Diehl
presented Bates County Farm Bureau members with a resolution for “Thank a
Farmer Week”. The resolution highlighted
the impact that farmers and ranchers have in providing the food, feed, fuel and
fiber that serve consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Other Bates County
Farm Bureau plans for “Thank a Farmer Week” include providing educational tote
bags, filled with an accurate agriculture book and classroom materials, to county
3rd grade teachers. Also
“Thank a Farmer” goodie bags will be distributed to local farmers.
Bates
County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Chair, Mary Fischer, says. “Celebrate
Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week is a great time to recognize the
contributions made by farmers.
Agriculture is vital to our daily lives and our community. Since 98% percent of the population doesn’t
farm, it is easy to take for granted the importance of our farmers.
Photo Caption:
Recently
at the Missouri Capitol, MO State Representatives Sherri Gallick and Dane Diehl
presented Bates County Farm Bureau members with a resolution for “Thank a
Farmer Week”. The resolution highlighted
the impact that farmers and ranchers have in providing the food, feed, fuel and
fiber that serve consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Pictured are (L to R) Missouri Farm Bureau
District 4 State Board Member, Sharon Arnold; MO State Representative, Sherri
Gallick; Bates County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee Chair, Mary
Fischer; State Representative, Dane Diehl and Bates County Farm Bureau
President, Kevin Fischer.
