Duane A. Lienemann,
UNL Extension Educator,
Webster County
November 16, 2012 Edition
Agriculture is the production, processing and marketing of foods and fibers. Products we use in our everyday lives like food, surgical sutures, lumber, tires, adhesives, shampoo, leather shoes, soft cotton clothes as well as hundreds of thousands of other items, all come from plant and animal products and by-products that our America's farmers and ranchers produce. They have always been a vital thread in the tapestry of our nation since its founding, contributing to our public health, safeguarding our environmental resources and standing at the forefront of our country’s path toward energy independence.
I have a little quiz for you! What would you expect from an old teacher? ….. Did you know that nearly 1 in 20 workers in our US economy plays a role in the food and fiber marketing chain? Did you also know that 1 out of 3 workers in Nebraska are actively engaged in the agriculture industry? Did you know the average grocery store stocks more than 30,000 different items? Now think…What do a truck driver, a rancher, a farmer, a butcher, a grocery store clerk, a logger, a futures broker, and a biotechnologist have in common? Food, clothes and lumber just don’t appear in stores without teamwork. A well-coordinated network of farmers, ranchers, processors, truckers and retailers are dedicated to making sure that Americans have access to a healthy, safe and abundant supply of food, fiber, and natural resources.
Agriculture is the one bright spot in our Nation’s current fiscal dilemma. Our nation’s farm and ranch families continue to feed our citizens here at home and around the globe, an accomplishment that underscores the importance of fostering robust and vibrant rural communities to support them. We should never take our plentiful and safe food supply for granted. We should never forget the sacrifice and work of our farmers and ranchers, but there are others involved in providing all of these things for us. They are our partners. Have you paused to think about those that produce these products, consume the products, and make them readily available through an efficient production and marketing chain?
In order to celebrate this partnership, a special time is allotted, starting the Friday before Thanksgiving each year and ending the Friday of Thanksgiving. This celebration is called “National Farm-City Week”, with the theme “Partners in Progress.” November 16-22 is the designated time to remind all American citizens as they gather with their families and friends to reflect on the accomplishments of those who dedicate their lives to producing our nation’s agricultural abundance and engaging in environmental stewardship. So as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day and gather with family and friends to count our blessings, let’s also give thanks for the all that we enjoy not just on this holiday, but every day.
This year’s National Farm-City Week theme describes the partnership of farm and city residents who produce, transport, process, test, market and consume the abundance of food and fiber products we enjoy. Rural and urban communities working together have made the most of our rich agricultural resources, and have made significant contributions to our health and well-being, and to the strength of our nation’s economy. Farm-City Week is a time to acknowledge and to say “thanks” to those partners. Please take a moment to thank someone who was involved in this process in getting the food you enjoy from the farm to your table. Rural and urban residents are “Partners in Progress” who produce the products, consume the products, and make them readily available through an efficient production and marketing chain.
Farmers and ranchers are just the beginning of that chain. In addition to the farmers and ranchers who grow the commodities, it takes those workers I mentioned at the beginning of this article, plus farm workers, researchers, processors, commodity brokers, shippers, inspectors, wholesalers, agribusinesses, marketers, advertisers, retailers, food processors, food safety inspectors, retail clerks and many more to get our food and fiber from the field to the store. It takes a lot of skilled people to supply us, and all of these workers, plus the consumers that utilize our commodities, all play important roles in the incredible productivity that has made our nation’s food, fiber and energy system the envy of the world.
When the Pilgrims and Indians celebrated the first Thanksgiving, they gathered to give thanks for the food that sustained them. Farms of every size and type that produce the abundance of today’s healthy food choices that grace our tables are worthy of celebration as we gather this Thanksgiving. As you prepare your meal this year, and think about the things for which you are grateful, consider those farmers and ranchers, but also urban agribusiness employees who helped get the food you will eat this holiday season to your table. This safe, plentiful food that is available to us, and the products used to produce the clothing, housing, medicines, fuel and other products we use on a daily basis, didn’t just appear in a store. Many hands are busy in making these things available to all of us every day. That helps make the connection between rural industries and urban markets stronger than ever, with Americans across the country finding ways to participate in and celebrate the importance of agriculture’s and related industries’ roles in providing healthy choices for everyone.
Please join with me in giving thanks to all those involved in getting the food from the farm to the table as we can enjoy this abundance. During National Farm-City Week, please spend some time and think about the farmers, ranchers, processors, truck drivers, retailers and many others who work so hard to supply your food, and say “Thank You”. Let’s celebrate the fruit of the labors of everyone in urban, suburban and rural America who help put food on our tables, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day! Happy Thanksgiving every one! May the tryptophan give you rest and relaxation!
The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home
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