First of all, I just wanted to start this off by wishing you a happy National Agriculture Week! The official "holiday" was celebrated on March 21, but I think it is worth the week-long recognition. I am one of those lucky people who got to experience the industry firsthand despite not living on a farm. Because of the 4-H organization, I was able to participate in the buying, raising, selling, and other key parts of animal product production. While my interaction with the industry was limited to my 4-H lambs and pigs which I sold in private sales and the county fair, I could easily see the importance of this overlooked industry.

Honestly, I'm shocked and a little appalled by the negativity and most media surrounding agriculture. Without agriculture, the people who are debasing this industry would likely be starving, naked, and without key resources. Even if someone is vegan and doesn't support meat production, it is still farmers who are growing the organic, vegetable food sources they require to live. That quote "If you've eaten today, thank a farmer" is as true today as it ever was.

I think we can take this a bit farther.

If you were clothed today, used a machine that runs from ethanol, ate, thank the agriculture industry. While many decide to take a stand against some agriculture practices such as use of pesticides or large-scale operation drawbacks, try to think on all of the good this industry does. Farmers work extensively throughout the year, dependent on the success of a select number of choice crops. Their entire salary can be gone in a blink of an eye thanks to tornado, drought, or other nature disasters. Herds of livestock can be totally wiped out by infectious diseases. Farmers often work essentially from sunrise to sundown during planting and harvesting seasons. Crops need cared for: watered, checking and removal of pests. Animals need watered, fed, sheltered every single day. Farmers don't get days off when they don't feel like going to work, and often farms are a family affair, where whole families work towards keeping the farm running smoothly.

While this lifestyle is certainly not an easy one, farmers and those who participate in this kind of industry are a unique breed. Many are salt of the earth kind of people who accept these seemingly endless hours in order to feed, clothe, and sustain our way of life in America and around the globe. This industry produces dedicated, hard-working souls on whose shoulders the basic needs of this country are resting. Yet, people who have never set foot on farmland or in a barn feel compelled to attack these people making a living.

Agriculture is essential and is what America has been built on. Persevering, strong, incredible people work in this industry. Whether you have played a small part like myself in 4-H, run a family operation, a huge farm, or believe in the industry I'd like to thank you for playing a part in this often thankless industry.

I encourage you that next time you pick up a glass of milk, eat a hamburger or bacon, munch on some vegetables, put on your clothes, think about the importance of agriculture, and thank a farmer.