Yesterday was the conclusion of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Baltimore, MD where 837 Young Farmers and Ranchers gathered from all over the country.

Attendees had the opportunity to network with one another, sharpen their leadership skills, and learn how to become the voice and face of agricultuure. The attendees were challenged by Trent Loos, agriculture advocate, to keep their enthusiasm alive by going out and being an advocate for our industry.

Farming is Everone's Bread and Butter and it is our job to remind the nation that less than 2% of our population provides food and fiber for the other 98%. And we do it safely, effectively and efficiently.

This week, February 3-9, we are celebrating Food Check-Out Week. You may be asking why we celebrate Food Check-Out Week? The reason for the celebration is most Americans have earned enough money to pay for all of the food they will eat at home, and away from home, for the entire year of 2008.

Food Check-Out Week also gives us another chance to tell our story and help American's realize how important farmers and rancers are to everyone. Farming is Everyone's Bread and Butter. Many people don't realize how farming impacts them personally; and Food Check-Out Week is another opportunity for farmers and ranchers to remind consumers where our food comes from.

We are blessed in this country to have an abundant, safe and affordable food supply. I encourage everyone to find some time this week to promote Food Check-Out Week, even if it's just a letter to the editor of your local paper.