Fort Report: National Ag Week
In speaking with a group of farmers recently, I recalled a very poignant and moving description of farm life. A commercial showing the commitment of a life on the land – the farm family, hard work and toil, and the meaning of it all – was found in the most unlikely of places. Perhaps you remember seeing it during the Super Bowl, hearing the American radio icon Paul Harvey talking about how God "made a farmer" to grow our food and care for animals, land, water, and air.
We in Nebraska certainly understand the important role our farmers and ranchers play in our wellbeing. Agriculture not only provides food security, it contributes to energy security, economic security, and even to our national security. It's important that all Americans understand these profound benefits. This is one of the reasons March 17 to 23 is designated as National Agriculture Week, an opportunity to note the great significance that agriculture holds in each American's daily life.
As a society, we've become increasingly urban over the last 100 years. In 1910, nearly one-third of Americans farmed, and there were more than 6.5 million farms. Today, less than one percent of America's population (less than one million people) claim farming as their principal occupation and there are just over 2 million farms. Nonetheless, American farmers today help feed not only fellow Americans but much of the entire world. Each American farmer produces enough food to help feed more than 155 people.
As a result, agriculture remains one of the few bright spots in our national economy. Ag products are America's number one export. And the resiliency of the agricultural economy has also helped many leading farm states, particularly Nebraska, remain economically vibrant in spite of the national recession. Nebraska enjoys the second lowest unemployment rate in the nation, behind North Dakota and just ahead of South Dakota. The economic impact of agriculture on our state economy and local economies is extraordinary. One in three Nebraskans work in jobs related to agriculture. We are the top red meat producing state, the second leading ethanol producer, third highest corn producer, and fifth leading soybean grower. One in five American hamburgers comes from Nebraska.
It is also important to note that our production agriculture system contributes to Americans enjoying the lowest food prices in the world. Americans pay a much lower percentage of their disposable income on food than people in other parts of the world.
Given the world's increasing demand for food, export opportunities in agriculture are set to grow for years to come. Exciting new domestic food markets, such as food production within local and regional food systems, natural and organic foods, farmers' markets, and direct market opportunities are attracting new and beginning farmers, which is important given the average age of the American farmer is 56 years old. These emerging markets help increase Americans' knowledge of how their food is raised, increase access to wholesome foods, promote stewardship, and provide additional opportunities for new farm income.
Through agriculture, all Americans enjoy not only affordable and safe food, but also the economic benefits of food exported to others, clean energy produced from homegrown sources, and the benefits of environmentally responsible management practices that protect and conserve natural resources. Perhaps most importantly, in Nebraska the natural traditions of life on the farm – hard work, neighbor helping neighbor, family life and faith life – have helped shaped the character of the people of our state. As we conclude the 40th anniversary of National Agriculture Week this week, we reflect on the benefits of our agricultural heritage as well as the numerous benefits the American farmer provides us all today.
