PERRY COUNTY – Our changing economy illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever. Farmers and ranchers provide the food, feed, fuel and fiber that serves consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Thanks to Missouri farmers, consumers can also find locally sourced food and goods. Consumers around the world enjoy what our farmers and ranchers produce.
Missouri Farm Bureau, Perry County Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureau’s across the state are joining forces to celebrate the importance of agriculture, March 2-8, during Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week!
In honor of Thank A Farmer Week, accurate agriculture books have been donated by Perry County Farm Bureau to the Riverside Regional Library in Perryville and local schools. Perry County Farm Bureau members have also read agriculture books to classrooms in the county.
Missouri continues to rank among the top 10 states in production of beef cattle, hay, goats, poultry, rice, cotton and in number of farms. 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.
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.
“Agriculture is important to our daily lives and our community. Because 98 percent of the population doesn’t farm, it is easy to take for granted the importance of our farmers,” Dianna Koenig and June Ernst, Perry County Promotion & Education co-chairs say. “Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week is a great time to recognize the important contribution made by farmers!”
So, join Perry County Farm Bureau as we Celebrate agriculture and Thank a Farmer.