First, I would like to extend a sincere thank you.

Thank you for being an industry I am more than proud to be a part of. Thank you for teaching me dedication, determination, passion and commitment to help me pursue my dreams.

Now let’s direct our attention to a bit more harsh reality:

It’s no secret that us farmers have become a minority in the United States. With roughly less than 2 percent of the entire U.S. population in agriculture, and only growing smaller each year, we have a lot on our hands to accomplish. More specifically: The global population is expected to increase to more than9 billion by 2050, which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 60 percent more food than what is now produced with a decreasing amount of resources to use.

So, growing enough food to feed the world, no big deal, right? Wrong. Feeding the world comes with many challenges, and one of them is fighting a war. I’m not talking about a war like the ones taught in a high school history book. I’m speaking of a war with those who do not understand this lifestyle. What’s even worse? They are not to blame, entirely. Today’s consumers are persuaded to think based on fear implemented by anti-agriculture activists such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), PETA, and other anti-GMO groups. In turn, it is a constant strain for those of us involved in agriculture to defend our job and what we know to be scientifically based facts. It’s just plain exhausting some days.

However, over the years, we as producers, farmers, and ranchers have begun to share our side and viewpoints with the world via social media. By doing this, we have made leaps and bounds towards reaching a common ground with our consumers and developing a more personal, open, and trusting relationship.

If you take a look as to where early agriculturists began many years ago to where we are in the present, the choices we have are never-ending. From various choices in seed selection with weed and insect control, to the way we care for our livestock, there is various options to fit each farmer's needs.

But let’s face facts: what works for my farm, here in Illinois, probably will not work for a rancher in Texas. The markets and climate are different, plus we may not have the required knowledge to put forth if he or she wants to grow an organic crop, for example.

Everyone has a choice, but it is crucial that we all keep our common goal in mind: feeding the world. In order to attain and maintain respect as an industry, we must be supportive of one another. Remember, there is less than 2 percent of us left, we cannot afford to work against one another when there is already so many others working to tear us down.

Respect is a hard thing to earn, but whether you are organic, conventional, non-GMO, etc., it is important to respect each other. Respect the perspective when speaking to one another, and to those who may not know, about farming practices. One practice is not necessarily “better” than another as long as it is carried out in a safe, well managed manner.

Agriculture is such a progressive, rewarding industry to be a member of and it needs to be celebrated. Vince Lombardi once said, “Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

If we each focus our efforts on working together, all 2 percent, we can continue to work towards efficiently feeding the world in a safe, affordable manner.