‘A respect for tradition;’ celebrating and honoring those that feed America
A farmer’s job is never done. Growing food for the American people is no easy task, but farmers across the country do it because it is their way of life, and we celebrate them.
Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of National Ag Day in celebrating farmers, their families, and the bounty they produce.
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Farmers nationwide have been planning and preparing for the upcoming planting season since last season. Farmers spent the winter cleaning, conducting maintenance, and repairing equipment like planters, tractors, sprayers, and combines to prepare them for the next season.
When you ask a farmer why they do what they do, most will tell you it is what they were raised to do and most are generational farmers.
YouTube stars like Cole the Cornstar, Millennial Farmer, Larson Farms, Welker Farms, Peterson Farm Bros, and Brian’s Farming Videos have brought awareness to the farming industry and allow viewers to take a walk in their lives as farmers, from the highs to the lows.
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Not only are those who raise crops celebrated on this day, but others in the industry, such as agribusiness management, marketing, education, urban planning, agricultural research, engineering, and many more, are celebrated for their contribution to feeding America.
The National Ag Day program was started in 1973 by the Agriculture Council of America and was first celebrated in 1979 in Washington, D.C. Monday, President Joe Biden proclaimed March 21, 2023, as National Agriculture Day.
“American farms remind us of the beauty and generosity of our Nation. They feed the country and the world, and with each new planting season, they embody that most American of things — possibilities. On National Agriculture Day, we celebrate all the farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, fishers, foresters, and other agricultural workers who do so much to make our Nation strong, fuel our economy, and steward our lands. America owes them,” President Biden said.
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According to the Agriculture Council of America, there are 21.6 million people employed by the agriculture industry, which makes up 11 percent of U.S. employment.
“There is a common spirit across America’s agricultural community: a respect for tradition, a drive to innovate, and a commitment to never giving up — even when the going gets tough. Small farmers, ranchers, and meat processors also face many challenges,” President Biden said.
