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Celebrate National Agriculture Day on the First Day of Spring
Op-Ed Can you imagine life without farmers? The best description I’ve heard is that we would all be “naked, homeless, and hungry.” The first day of spring, Wednesday March 21, is a time to celebrate America’s family farmers and agribusinesses. It’s National Agriculture Day, a time to honor family farmers for providing safe, abundant and affordable products, a strong economy, a source of renewable energy, and a world of job opportunities. Few understand how food and fiber products are produced nor do they value the essential role agriculture plays in maintaining a strong economy. Agriculture is second only to tourism as South Carolina’s largest industry supporting local economies, providing jobs, and helping to feed and clothe the world. As people begin to spring-clean and throw open the windows, breathe in the fresh springtime air, and enjoy these longer lighter days, I want to challenge you to look around your world and think about the impact farmers have on your life. Whether you wear cotton clothes or use cotton towels, or live in a home that uses wood or paper products, or eat, your life has been touched by a farmer. Agriculture also plays a big role in products we use daily. Did you know that plant and animal byproducts produced by family farmers are used in pharmaceuticals, surgical sutures, ointments, latex gloves, x-ray film, gelatin for capsules and heart valves, lumber, paints, brushes, tar paper, dry wall, tool handles, fuel, lubricants, antifreeze, tires, upholstery, adhesives, solvents and detergents, paper, ink, film, shampoo, cosmetics, lotions, finger nail polish, toothpaste, crayons, textbooks, chalk, desks, pencils and paper, baseball bats, leather equipment and shoes, and a host of other products we use daily? Also, each American farmer produces enough food and fiber for 144 people, almost 99 percent of all U.S. farms are owned by individuals or families, and American farmers receive an average of only 19 cents for every dollar spent on US-grown food (the other 81 cents covers the cost of transforming these inputs into food products and getting them to our grocery shelves and lunch counters). As fresh produce roadside markets spring up around the countryside take the time to stop and thank a farmer for making a positive impact on your life. Happy Agriculture Day! (David Winkles is the president of the SC Farm Bureau Federation, South Carolina’s largest general farm organization advocating on behalf of family farmers and rural lifestyles. Farm Bureau is a non-profit organization and is “All About Agriculture.” For more information, contact Reginald Hall 803-936-4409) #
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