This is a day to honor and thank all of the hardworking farmers and ranchers who plow, sow, grow, and harvest to feed our nation. We especially rely on farmers to get fresh food on our tables during these uncertain times. Let’s pay tribute to the men, women, and families who put food in the grocery stores and on our tables every day.
Who is the modern farmer?
Every 5 years, the United States Department of Agriculture conducts a census of U.S. farmers.
- While the latest census data shows that the majority of farmers are older (average age: 58+), there are also more young men, women, and minority farmers than ever before.
- You may be surprised to learn that 97.1% of farms in America are family farms (not corporations).
We need farmers of the future to plant, feed, raise, and harvest all of the food that keeps our citizens fed.
While only 2% of our population are farmers, farmers’ contribution to the economy extends well beyond the food they grow for us to eat. In 2019, 22.2 million full- and part-time jobs were related to the agricultural and food sectors—10.9 percent of total U.S. employment.
Farmers keep many communities alive including
- trucking, railroads, and transportation
- clothing, textiles, and leather goods
- grocery stores, food services, eating and drinking places
- food and beverage manufacturing
- pharmaceuticals
- forestry and fisheries
Extracted from: “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” Read More
Have You Tried a CSA?
For over 25 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.
Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
Find a CSA
Last spring, I joined the Green Bexar Farm CSA. I pick up my first fall harvest basket on Friday and I am really looking forward to enjoying the fresh produce.
The Farmer’s Almanac provided this link to Find a Local CSA. Interesting concept and a good way to support our farmers.