President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said "Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil, and you're a thousand miles from the corn field." Although the comments were made nearly 50 years ago, President Eisenhower understood the challenges of working the land. This week, as we celebrate National Agriculture Day and Week, let us remember his words and give thanks for all that American agriculture has to offer – to our economy, our environment and our everyday lives.

 

Though many of us never stop to give it a lot of thought, agriculture plays an important role in the daily lives of every American – beginning with the food we eat. Our farmers produce the most affordable, most abundant and safest food and fiber anywhere in the world. In fact, while other countries spend anywhere from 11-53 percent of their disposable income on food, Americans spend just about nine percent of their income on food for our tables. This allows the American family to spend more on housing and other needs as well as recreation and leisure activities. Our farmers contribute to the economy in other ways too. In exports alone, they inject more than $130 billion into the economy. And, roughly 15 percent of the U.S. population is employed on the farm or farm-related jobs including scientific research, shipping, processing and retails sales.

 

However, food and fiber aren't the only products our producers have given U.S. consumers. Farmers and researchers are refining current practices and developing other uses for agricultural products. This benefits both consumers looking for new products and farmers who want to "add value" to theirs. Wheat straw is being used in building materials. Corn is used to make clothing and kitty litter. Soybeans are being used in plastics, lubricants, coatings and ink, adhesives, crayons and solvents. They are even being used by researchers at the University of Missouri at Rolla to produce composite materials used to reinforce highways and bridges so that they are earthquake-safe. Agriculture may start with the growing and harvesting of food, but it ends with almost everything we eat, wear and use!

 

Research and technology advancements also have resulted in new renewable uses for commodity crops like corn, soybeans and various grains. Use of products like ethanol and soy-diesel will reduce American dependence on foreign oil and improve air quality throughout the United States and the world. Ethanol is the largest industrial use of these commodity crops, but soy-diesel and other uses are emerging every year. Missourians have been pioneers in this field, and renewable fuels are used by transit systems in larger cities like St. Louis so that the city can meet clean air requirements – a win-win situation for our farmers and our environment.

 

American agriculture can be celebrated for other ways it has demonstrated its dedication to environmental stewardship. Our farmers and ranchers provide food and habitat for approximately 75 percent of this nation's wildlife. They have been the first and best stewards of the land. They know that if they don't take care of the land, then the land won't take care of them, and take those factors into consideration when making land use decisions. The current farm bill recognizes the need to balance production and environmental preservation and has provisions for farmers to create environmental habitats that will ensure protection of the land and water resources. Likewise, with today's technology, farmers are also better able to match seed characteristics and production practices to soil type and climate conditions. The result is higher yields with lower input costs from more efficient use of chemicals, fertilizers and tillage. Ultimately, that results in more food at a lower cost for consumers.

 

There are many reasons to celebrate American Agriculture – for the jobs it creates, the innovation it spurs and the ways it can help us achieve a cleaner environment. Its accomplishments may touch us in different ways, but they all improve our quality of life. Although many challenges lie ahead, I know the 22 million men and women who take pride in agriculture are ready to meet these challenges. So, this week as we honor all that agriculture has given us, remember to honor those who make it all possible – the American farmer!