We live in a rural area in northwest Oklahoma where there are plenty of farmers (not many of them young) so I didn’t realize how few farmers there are till I heard the statistic that only 2% of the population are farmers and ranchers. That 2% includes all farmers and ranchers, so I would venture to say probably 70% of them are 60 or older. This is scary! In the early 1800s, 90% of the population was involved in agriculture. Farmers and ranchers have the most important job in this world, feeding people. If there are fewer and fewer farmers as time goes on, what will become of future generations? Are we going to have to import all of our food and become totally dependent on foreign nations? They tell us when, how much, and set their price. Or will the corporate farms take over and we lose our heritage of the family farm? They form a monopoly with little diversity or uniqueness.

More and more generations are moving away from the farm. Many people today don’t know anything about farming and ranching and the processes involved in producing their food. Not only do they not know, but most of them probably never think about it. As long as the food is available, affordable and good, they don’t think twice about it. Not that I’m condemning the general consumer, why would they need to worry about it. American farmers have always provided ample amounts of nutritious food and at affordable prices, allowing people to spend their money on the latest technology, clothing, houses, vehicles, and vacations. In foreign countries they may not have that luxury. In some places they may spend 50% of their income just on feeding their family. That might dampen our spoiled American attitude. Why do you think so many people want to live here?

American farmers and ranchers should be encouraged and admired. It is hard dirty work with long hours and little pay. They pick this profession because they love it, not to get rich quick. They love tilling the soil, sowing the seeds to watch them sprout and grow, and bringing in the harvest. They enjoy seeing the new baby calf stand up for the first time and drink milk, and watching that calf grow up to maturity. They love the outdoors, nature and all of God’s many miracles that happen daily. They take pride in what they do because it is not just food for some unknown consumer, it’s for their friends, it’s for their family, and it’s for themselves. They do their best to provide the best for this country. So let’s preserve the heritage from which most all of us originated if we traced our family trees back enough generations. Most of the time we don’t appreciate something until it is gone. Let’s not let that happen. Life without American farmers and ranchers would be too devastating. I’ll close with what my grandpa used to say, “Don’t cuss the farmer with your belly full.”