Log in

Thank a Farmer Week begins Feb. 28

Posted

JOHNSON COUNTY — Missouri Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus across the state are joining forces to celebrate the importance of agriculture from Sunday, Feb. 28 to March 6, during Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week.

“Agriculture is important to our daily lives and our community. Because 98% of the population doesn’t farm, it is easy to take for granted the importance of our farmers,” Johnson County Farm Bureau President Buck Counts said. “Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week is a great time to recognize the important contribution made by farmers.”

Johnson County Farm Bureau and Johnson County FFA members have joined together in providing donut bags for farmers on March 5.

Farmers can pick up their gift from the following locations: 

  • Leeton Elevator
  • Warrensburg Farm Bureau office, 8 to 10 a.m.
  • Warrensburg Swishers, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
  • AG Power, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Heimans True Value, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“A global pandemic illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever,” a Missouri Farm Bureau press release states. “Thanks to farmers in Missouri and around the world consumers have food choices, clothing, transportation, shelter and so much more.” 

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in Missouri dropped from 99,171 on 28.5 million acres of land in 2012 to 95,320 on 27.8 million acres. 

Missouri Farm Bureau states that despite the drop in farm numbers and acreage, Missouri continues to rank among the top 10 states in production of major commodities and provides an $88.4 billion economic impact. 

Missouri Farm Bureau states each U.S. farm annually produces enough food and fiber for 166 people, 106 in the U.S. and 60 abroad. 

American consumers spend less than 10% of their disposable income on food. 

Missouri Farm Bureau states that by 2050 the global population is expected to increase by 2.2 million people and farmers will have to grow about 70% more food than is currently being produced.

Missouri Farm Bureau states farm and ranch families account for less than 2% of the U.S. population. 

Missouri farm Bureau states there are 2 million farms with 3.4 million farm operators across the U.S. 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.

A study commissioned by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Missouri Farm Bureau found that agriculture is the top industry in the state with a contribution of about $88.4 billion to the economy. 

The study also states that 378,232 jobs, $2.2 billion in state/local taxes and $17.5 billion in labor income are derived from agriculture. 


X
X