Klodette Stroh

In 1973, the first day of spring, which is March 21, was dedicated to recognize and appreciate American farmers. I truly believe America has been blessed by our loving God who works in partnership with farmers to provide food, fiber, clothing and shelter for our people. National Ag Day (March 21) is quickly approaching and what a great time to thank farmers for all they do. American farmers represent and preserve the values of our nation: hard work, risk-taking and a love of the land. In their daily lives, they demonstrate love of family and love of our country.

From a purely financial perspective, farmers have an incentive to preserve and improve the soil, water and air that sustains their livelihood. One can easily say that farmers are the original environmentalists and the land they work is very precious to them. Often they take extreme measures to preserve land such as planting lower priced crops for rotation crops to improve and preserve the soil.

Less than 2% of the U.S. populations are engaged in production agriculture and only 42% of the United States’ total land area is farmland (893.4 million acres). One farmer supplies food and fiber for over 165 people in the U.S. and abroad. More than 22 million full- and part-time jobs are related to agricultural. The sugar industry alone provides 146,000 jobs according to the American Sugar Association.

Agriculture is America’s No. 1 export and farmers have been blessed with modern methods for growing crops. For example, 1 acre of land in the U.S. (about the size of a football field) can produce: 42,000 pounds of strawberries, 11,000 heads of lettuce, 25,400 pounds of potatoes, 8,900 pounds of sweet corn, or 640 pounds of cotton lint. In 1997, Kansas’ wheat farmers produced enough wheat to make 36.5 billion loaves of bread, or enough to provide six loaves of bread for each person on earth. With world population reaching 9 billion by 2050, there will be millions of new lives to sustain, many of whom rely on United States’ food production. History can testify on behalf of America’s helping hand to any foreign country in event of any disastrous situation. Historically, the United States has been the Good Samaritan to feed and shelter any foreign country in distress.  

It is very important to acknowledge the significance of the Farm Bill which provides a safety net for the agriculture industry. Members of the United State Congress who represent all taxpayers in this country revise and evaluate importance of the Farm Bill every five to six years and proceed to pass the Farm Bill. Unfortunately, there have been groups from both the far left and far right that want to cut holes in farmers’ safety net, and they will use every opportunity to do so. As American citizens, we should not allow such efforts to succeed because it will threaten rural economies, endanger America’s ability to feed and clothe our people and it will jeopardize United States independence. We must continue to work together to mount a unified defense for the 2023 Farm Bill which Congress has not passed.

As my great auntie Yomie used to say, God sends his angels to guard America and I wholeheartedly agree with her. There is no doubt in my heart that God protects our beloved America, as America and her people have listened to his only son. Jesus said to his disciples “when I was hungry you fed me, when I needed a place to stay you sheltered me, when I was sick you came to visit me.” His disciples asked him “but Rabbi when did we do all these for you?” Jesus said, “whenever you help people in need you are helping me.” As we celebrate Agriculture Day on March 21, this year please let our lawmakers know dismembering a fruitful and dynamic working machine, as America’s agriculture, will not result in prosperity of this nation’s economy.

(Klodette Stroh is the national chairman of Women Involved In Farm Economics.)