The nation’s changing economy illustrates how agriculture impacts our lives now more than ever. Farmers and ranchers provide the food, feed, fuel and fiber that serves consumers in Missouri and around the globe. Thanks to Missouri farmers, consumers have can also find locally sourced food and goods. Consumers around the world enjoy what our farmers and ranchers produce.

Missouri Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus throughout the state, including the Barry County Farm Bureau, are joining forces to celebrate the importance of agriculture from March 2-8 during ‘Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week.’

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, a 2021 study of the economic contribution of Missouri agriculture and forestry showed that agriculture is a $93.7 billion industry.

Missouri agriculture employs almost 460,000 people. The state is ranked in the top 10 for 12 commodities, including number of farms, goats, beef cattle, poultry, hay, rice and cotton.

With all that they produce, it is remarkable that farm and ranch families account for less than 2% of the U.S. population. Across the United States, there are two million farms with 3.4 million farm operators. This number includes owners, their families, hired workers, tenants and renters or sharecroppers. Many farms today find multiple generations working together to produce food and fiber.

‘Join Farm Bureau as we Celebrate agriculture and Thank a Farmer,’ Lana Couch said in a Barry County Farm Bureau press release. ‘Agriculture is important to our daily lives and our community. Because 98 percent of the population doesn’t farm, it is easy to take for granted the importance of our farmers. ‘Celebrate Agriculture: Thank a Farmer Week’ is a great time to recognize the important contribution made by farmers.’