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Nea Holmes

Mrs.Ramirez

English

29 November 2023

Why We Need Farmers

Farmers in the United States are essential to our livelihood. If we don’t have farmers how

would we get the food on our tables? Farmers do all the hard work to get good nutritious food on

our table wouldn’t you. In the heartbeat of America's economy, farmers are the unsung heroes

who till the soil, cultivating not just crops but the very foundation of our nation’s sustenance and

propensity. As urban landscapes expand, the vital link between the farm and the table becomes

even more crucial, underscoring the indispensable role farmers play in feeding a growing

population. In an era of climate uncertainty, farmers stand as resilient stewards of the land,

adapting and innovating to secure a stable food supply for all americans. Farmers are necessary

for food production. They make sure that the health of the soil is good further. They help with the

gasoline supply. Finally the rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate wages and materials for

production, processing, marketing, transportation and distribution.

If they hadn’t taken that action, we would have had to figure out our own method of

preparing food. “Our background led us both to pursue degrees in agriculture at Texas Tech

University, and we are proud to now lead the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Service at

USDA.”(USDA.gov). The fact that they highlight their background at Texas Tech University and

their roles in the UDSA indicates a connection between their education and their current

positions. I feel that it’s common for professionals to take pride in their educational
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achievements and to empathize with the alignment between their background and their current

roles, especially in fields related to agriculture and nutrition. We understand the critical link

between agriculture and the 15 nutrition programs that FNS administers. This awareness is

crucial for effective policy making and program implementation, as it implies that the leaders

recognize the importance of considering agricultural factors in shaping and optimizing nutrition

programs.This connection is particularly significant when addressing issues related to food

security, sustainable agriculture, and public health. We are committed to working

collaboratively with producers of all sizes to better serve our customers with access to food,

whether it is through schools, food banks, Indian tribal organizations, Farmers markets, or which

SNAP and WIC benefits. (USDA.gov). I feel that the acknowledgement of working with SNAP

and WIC benefits underscores a commitment to leveraging government assistance programs to

support individuals and families in need. If we neglect the health of the soil and fail to implement

sustainable agricultural practices, it could lead to various challenges that may necessitate finding

alternative ways to produce food.

Without proper soil health , the quality of food would be compromised.In fact, one acre

of soybean can produce 82,358 crayons. Partly because they contain more protein per acre than

any other crop. The fact that soybeans can produce that many crayons is really interesting. In

2018,$140 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported, a number proving that

farmers strengthen the global economy. That America exported numbers were $140 billion

dollars is really cool. Crunching on sunflower seeds while watching baseball is an American

pastime. People are keeping a tradition of eating/crunching on sunflower seeds watching a

baseball game. The health of the soil directly impacts the nutritional content and overall quality

of the crops it produces.

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Without gasoline, the transportation of food would be hindered, impacting its availability

on our tables. By adopting conservation practices, farmers can build rich, fertile soils that will

grow robust crops while protecting water sources, storing carbon, reducing greenhouse gas

emissions and creating fields that are more resilient to extreme weather events. The multiple

advantages that farmers can gain by implementing such practices include the ability to build

nutrient- rich soils, foster robust crop growth, Safeguard water sources, Store carbon, reduce

greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers who are adopting conservation practices like cover crops,

which keeps living roots in the soil year-round. The fact that farmers have to adopt practices to

save their plants shows there is more going on with the climate. “You feel a responsibility to

preserve this kind of lifestyle, this productivity, this soil health for this generation and

generations to come,” Brian Roemke says. (nature.org). The article suggests a recognition of the

long-term impact of individual actions on the environment. An understanding of the importance

of sustainable practices to ensure the well-being of both current and future communities.

They go beyond the task of providing us with food; they also need to secure sales for

their own products. Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable and among the

world’s safest. Americans are fortunate enough to have access to a plentiful and reasonably

priced food supply that is considered among the safest globally. 25% of all farmers are beginning

farmers (in business less than 10 years); their average age is 46. (fb.org). If that is what they do is

smart because they probably worked before they wanted to do what they did for work. Of the

10% of disposable income Americans spend on food each year, 46% is for food eaten at home

and 54% is for food eaten away from home. (fb.org) When I saw this percentage I thought they
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were going to be worse, but they aren’t that bad. They are going beyond what they are supposed

to for us.

In conclusion, the vital role of farmers in our society cannot be overstated. Beyond being

the backbone of our agricultural system, farmers play a crucial role in sustaining our

communities, economies, and the very fabric of our daily lives. As the dedicated stewards of the

land, they ensure a steady supply of food, contribute to economic stability, and preserve the

environment through sustainable practices. It highlights the direct connection between the efforts

of farmers and the availability of the food we consume daily. This perspective acknowledges that

farmers are not only producers of crops but also caretakers of the very foundation upon which

their livelihoods depend. In some cases, farmers may engage in the cultivation of crops, such as

corn or sugarcane, that can be used in the production of biofuels like ethanol. It emphasizes the

intricate web of costs associated with various stages of the agricultural supply chain. Farmers

and ranchers need to be supported in the United States because they provide us with the foods we

eat. As we acknowledge the indispensable contribution of farmers, let us also commit to valuing,

appreciating, and supporting their efforts, for doing so, we nurture the roots of a sustainable and

nourishing world.
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Work Cited

Lipps, Posted by Brandon. “Farmers and Ranchers: The Foundation of Our Nation’s Nutrition

Assistance Programs.” USDA, 11 Oct. 2019,

www.usda.gov/media/blog/2019/10/11/farmers-and-ranchers-foundation-our-nations-nutrition-as

sistance-programs#:~:text=Farmers%20and%20ranchers%20are%20the,the%20rest%20of%20th

e%20world. Accessed 07 Nov. 2023.

Services, Farm Bureau Financial. “8 Ways Farmers Make Our Lives Better.” Farm Bureau

Financial Services, 17 June 2019,

www.fbfs.com/learning-center/here-s-to-america-s-farmers-and-ranchers. Accessed 13 Nov.

2023.

MLA Citation:“Farming for a Sustainable Future.” The Nature Conservancy,

www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/provide-food-and-water-sustainably/food-and-

water-stories/farming-for-a-sustainable-future/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

IowaFarmBureau

IowaFarmBureau. “30 Reasons America Needs Farmers (ANF).” Iowafarmbureau.Com, 23 June

2016, www.iowafarmbureau.com/Article/30-reasons-America-Needs-Farmers-ANF. Accessed

13 Nov. 2023.

“Fast Facts About Agriculture & Food.” American Farm Bureau Federation,

www.fb.org/newsroom/fast-facts. Accessed 13 Nov. 2023.

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