As we gather around our tables this Thanksgiving season, AgSafe extends warm wishes to everyone, expressing gratitude for those behind our meals – our farmers. In the spirit of giving thanks, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the intricate dance of elements that brings food to our tables.
Consider the complex journey: from the soil, water, sunshine, and time invested in cultivation, to the labor-intensive processes of harvesting, sorting, packing, shipping, storing, stocking, and selling. This intricate dance forms the global food system, a marvelously interconnected web producing roughly 4 billion metric tons of food annually for billions of people worldwide.
Thanksgiving is a celebration of abundance, a moment when families nationwide come together to share in a feast. But this abundance isn’t a stroke of luck; it’s the result of tireless agricultural efforts. This holiday, as we enjoy sweet corn, green beans, cranberries, potatoes, pumpkin pie, and more, it’s crucial to recognize the farmers whose diligent work makes this culinary abundance possible.
A quick look at the staggering production numbers of Thanksgiving staples underscores the enormity of farmers’ contributions:
Sweet Corn: 7.4 billion pounds
Green Beans: 2 billion pounds
Cranberries: 1.3 billion pounds
Potatoes: 4.4 billion pounds
Pumpkin: 1.6 billion pounds
Sweet Potatoes: 3.2 billion pounds
Rice: 18 billion pounds
These impressive statistics only scratch the surface. Beyond our dinner plates, agriculture plays a pivotal role in sustaining our economy. Recent studies show that over a fifth of the U.S. economy and a quarter of American jobs are linked to the food and agriculture sectors, the impact of agriculture is immeasurable. The 2023 Feeding the Economy report clearly demonstrates the resilience and strength of America’s food and agriculture sector, showing increased economic output in every state compared to the 2022 report. These industries are responsible for over $8.6 trillion – or nearly 20% – of the country’s economic activity, directly supporting nearly 23 million jobs (15% of U.S. employment).
It begins in the rich soil of America’s farms and ranches – more than two million of them – spread across the heartland and stretching to the coasts, covering two out of every five American acres. So let us extend our thanks to the individuals we may never meet – the ones responsible for placing food on our tables. A heartfelt appreciation goes out to the farmers and laborers who, year after year, gamble their futures against the unpredictable whims of weather. Gratitude is also due to those who undertake demanding tasks, from processing our turkeys to picking green beans and digging potatoes. Even those up north, knee-deep in cranberry bogs, deserve our thanks.
This Thanksgiving, let’s not only revel in the delicious spread before us but also pause to express our gratitude for those dedicated to making this moment of communal celebration possible. Their hard work not only sustains us on this special day but every day, reminding us to be thankful for the sustenance they provide and the resilience they exhibit in keeping our nation whole.
Author: Athena Ushana