The many faces of Ag

What is the agriculture business and how does it effect every day life? Have you ever wondered what goes into getting that steak on your table, or how long it took to grow those potatoes you are eating? How about how many hands have "touched" the milk you are drinking?

The ag business, is a long time business, that has been around since the pilgrims. It was the native Americans that showed the first pilgrims how to grow and harvest the vegetables served at the first Thanksgiving dinner.

Per Wikipedia over one third of the world's workers are employed in agriculture, second only to the service sector. If you think about it some of the service workers could also be included in the agriculture business as well, like the "butcher, baker, and candle stick maker" or the roadside produce stand, how about the person that is making leather shoes, belts, or purses.

In these days and times most holidays are geared around the ag business as well as other industries. Whether it be the fibers that make up gifts you purchase, the biofuel you use to drive to "Grandma's" house as well as the feast you sit down to when you get to your destination. It seems that every holiday is surrounded by food, family and friends.

Food grown is part of a healthy diet, weather it is organic or not. The health.gov web site recommends eating a balance of the 5 food groups, vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein. So not only does agriculture promote a healthy living, by eating well, but also plants are a part of the drug industry.

One of the concerns for the local growers is the lack of employees. Although it is a very physical industry, it can be very satisfying. The programs in schools, Ag classes and the FFA, are a big help in keeping this industry alive. A recommendation from most local farmers and ranchers, for successful operation is to get a college education.

A lot of the area farms and ranches have been handed down from generation to generation. Each era making improvements on how the business is run, with at least one of the next generation very interested in taking the "reins" when it is time.