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AdvertisementIt's our jobSometimes in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, we don't stop and think about what it would be like if we didn't have agriculture--how we would survive. Every part of our lives truly does revolve around agriculture. From the tires on our cars, to the houses we live in, to the clothes on our backs, to the food on our tables, to the air that we breath--I could go on and on. In order to continue to enjoy agriculture in our everyday lives, we must educate our youth about just how important agriculture is. Sure, I grew up on a farm, was involved in 4-H, FFA and cattle activities, so I know about the importance of the farmer and rancher; but our neighbors across the road and in the cities don't understand all of this. Recently, I contacted my daughter's third grade teacher to see what kind of programs they are teaching in our schools about agriculture. I would consider the school she attends to be a fairly rural Iowa school. The answer I got back surprised me: "We really don't have any materials provided for agriculture--other than in science, they talk about plants and crops, and we do have farm safety day in May each year for third graders. We also talk about landforms and the fact that plains are good places to grow crops, and soil is a natural resource.... Would you be willing to get some materials or come in and do a presentation or two about agriculture? We would love to have you do either!" Would I? Would I? Of course I would!!! These children need to know where milk comes from--that it's not from the store, but from a dairy cow. They need to know that over 90 percent of Iowa's land is used for agriculture. They need to know that Iowa leads the nation in corn, soybean, pork and egg production. And all those wind turbines that have been popping up across the Iowa landscape are generating energy for people all across the state. The youth today need to know that agriculture is so much more than farming, though. In 1950, one farmer fed about 27 people and now, in 2009, one farmer feeds more than 144 people on less land. U.S. farmers and ranchers help feed millions of people around the world. And what about all the items we use each and every day that wouldn't be available without the farmer--plastics for toys; rubber, cotton, wool and leather for baseballs; glycerin for makeup; or cotton for toothpaste and clothes and money. You see, it is our job as agriculturalists, as farmers and as ranchers to educate our youth and our neighbors about how agriculture provides for them in so many ways each and every day. Many people just don't realize it, and the groups with huge budgets who have incorrect data are out there telling anyone and everyone who will listen incorrect information to harm our industry. So go talk to your child's class, a community group, and your neighbors. Write letters to the editor, discuss pro-agriculture subjects on blogs, and educate those who don't know about agriculture. Tell them the importance of agriculture and how farmers and ranchers take good care of the land and their animals because it is in their best interest to do so. Will you get the word out? I'm going to! Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 515-833-2120, or by e-mail at jbremer@hpj.com. Advertisement
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