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.
