Throughout the course of this blog, I hope you have learned many new things. But more importantly, I hope this blog has fed your hunger for knowledge and only kindled a brighter flame inside of you.
Agriculture is the industry that keeps the world running. Without it, the world would starve and economies would crash. That is why it is so crucial that the world remain informed about the industry. As it continues to grow, there will be more mouths to feed. Generations will have to step up to face the challenge of how to do exactly that. The problem is not going away, and it is going to take creative minds to find a solution.
But agriculture is evolving. It is finding ways to feed the residents of countries that don't have economic structure or even the climate to support agricultural endeavors. Aquaponics has proven to be an efficient way to feed families, as well as help develop economies in third-world countries. Great ideas similar to that will surely come along, but only if we put our minds to it.
Ag isn't just something that the cowboys and cowgirls should care about. It affects everybody. So the next time you hear an ag headline in the news, stay on the channel a little bit longer, or take some extra time to read that article online. A more informed world, is a world better readied to take on the challenge of feeding its growing population.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Just like turkeys are an agricultural commodity, so is another holiday favorite. Many moments have been spent decorating its strongly scented, green boughs. Memories have been made around its glow after the lights have been strung up.
That's right. I'm talking about Christmas trees. Whole farms are devoted to these trees, which, believe it or not, are a part of the agricultural industry. Take a look at this family-owned and operated Christmas tree farm and what it takes to run a facility like it.
That's right. I'm talking about Christmas trees. Whole farms are devoted to these trees, which, believe it or not, are a part of the agricultural industry. Take a look at this family-owned and operated Christmas tree farm and what it takes to run a facility like it.
Turkey Time
Thanksgiving is drawing nearer and nearer, which means there is one thing on everybody's mind: turkey.
Ah, great bird of gravy and dressing. But really, where do these turkeys come from? Some people go out and shoot their own turkey in the woods. They may bring it back, pluck it, clean it and say it was all natural. Really, a quality bird can come from a farm and still be considered "all natural."
Turkeys are raised on farms just like chickens. People tend to think of them as a more seasonal commodity, but think of how often you eat turkey. It is in sandwiches at Subway. It is in store shelves in the ground form. It is in some bacon. It is in Lunchables. Turkey appears everywhere, and we don't even know how much we actually depend on the turkey farming industry to supply these birds.
Some farms may even let people come buy a bird to take home and clean themselves. It is all a matter of personal preference and how hard you look. Turkeys are everywhere, and it just takes a second to look to find them.
Ah, great bird of gravy and dressing. But really, where do these turkeys come from? Some people go out and shoot their own turkey in the woods. They may bring it back, pluck it, clean it and say it was all natural. Really, a quality bird can come from a farm and still be considered "all natural."
Turkeys are raised on farms just like chickens. People tend to think of them as a more seasonal commodity, but think of how often you eat turkey. It is in sandwiches at Subway. It is in store shelves in the ground form. It is in some bacon. It is in Lunchables. Turkey appears everywhere, and we don't even know how much we actually depend on the turkey farming industry to supply these birds.
Some farms may even let people come buy a bird to take home and clean themselves. It is all a matter of personal preference and how hard you look. Turkeys are everywhere, and it just takes a second to look to find them.
Q & A's with a "City Slicker"
In previous posts, we have covered common misconceptions that people have about agriculture, but the following is a real interview of a person who has never been around the industry. See if their answers surprise you, and see if you could have answered the question.
Q: Name three cuts of meat that come from beef cattle.
A: Ribs, ham, and roast. A: Rump roast, flat iron, ribeye.
Q: What is the main ingredient in bread?
A: Flour? A: Flour/wheat/yeast
Q: Where does flour come from?
A: I don't know, like grains, I guess? A: Wheat
Q: True or false: soils carry different amounts of nutrition based on location, moisture and temperature.
A: False A: True
Q: What are the steps in the processing of beef cattle?
A: Uh, from the farm to the slaughterhouse, to the factory to the store. A: Farm/feedlot to the slaughterhouse/processing (butcher), to distribution warehouses to store shelves.
Q: What is the process called by which plants make food?
A: Photosynthesis. CORRECT
Q: Name a sector of the agricultural industry.
A: Uh, plant production. A: Plant production is part of the industry but that could range from crops to Christmas trees.
Q: Name three cuts of meat that come from beef cattle.
A: Ribs, ham, and roast. A: Rump roast, flat iron, ribeye.
Q: What is the main ingredient in bread?
A: Flour? A: Flour/wheat/yeast
Q: Where does flour come from?
A: I don't know, like grains, I guess? A: Wheat
Q: True or false: soils carry different amounts of nutrition based on location, moisture and temperature.
A: False A: True
Q: What are the steps in the processing of beef cattle?
A: Uh, from the farm to the slaughterhouse, to the factory to the store. A: Farm/feedlot to the slaughterhouse/processing (butcher), to distribution warehouses to store shelves.
Q: What is the process called by which plants make food?
A: Photosynthesis. CORRECT
Q: Name a sector of the agricultural industry.
A: Uh, plant production. A: Plant production is part of the industry but that could range from crops to Christmas trees.
Supporting Local Economies
It is a warm, sunny Saturday morning and you're wondering what to do with your day. Some of your family members invite you to join them on their journey of garage sale-skipping when they mention stopping by the Farm and Art Market.
Local farmer's markets are a way that agriculture directly touches a community, even more so than in the obvious ways. Agriculture touches every community, but the process may be long and drawn out. Sometimes the process is so far removed that people don't know where their food came from; this happens more often than people think. But a farmer's market is one source of local growers providing goods and produce for the community.
Not only is this supporting local economies, but it is giving children and others a good visual to follow as to how the whole food-growing system works. It is an essential piece in the education of today's population in the industry that is agriculture.
So the next time you want to sleep in, give it a second thought and throw the sheets off. You never know what you will find at the farmer's market. One thing is for sure: you are supporting local producers.
Local farmer's markets are a way that agriculture directly touches a community, even more so than in the obvious ways. Agriculture touches every community, but the process may be long and drawn out. Sometimes the process is so far removed that people don't know where their food came from; this happens more often than people think. But a farmer's market is one source of local growers providing goods and produce for the community.
Not only is this supporting local economies, but it is giving children and others a good visual to follow as to how the whole food-growing system works. It is an essential piece in the education of today's population in the industry that is agriculture.
So the next time you want to sleep in, give it a second thought and throw the sheets off. You never know what you will find at the farmer's market. One thing is for sure: you are supporting local producers.
Monday, November 9, 2015
A Family Affair: The Scoop on Family Farming
One of the most common misconceptions that people have about the agricultural industry is the idea that corporate farming is taking over the industry. Some people will even scorn the industry because of their belief in this myth.
The reality of the situation is a statistic that anybody can find with a simple search. According to the USDA, family owned and operated farms make up 97.6% of the agricultural industry. ( http://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2014-march/family-farming-in-the-united-states.aspx#.VkFZLZVdGpo )
That is a whopping number.
The same source also cites that family farms were responsible for the production of 96% of major field crops, which includes corn, wheat, cotton and soybeans. Not only do they produce 96% of those crops, but they produce 96% of hogs, poultry and eggs.
The only thing left to be disputed about this is what is considered the definition of "family farm." It means different things to different people and can be defined in various ways. In this instance, with these particular statistics, it is defined "as those whose principal operator and people related to the principal operator by blood or marriage own most of the farm business." (Quoted from the article in the link above)
So there you have it. Family farms. They're still around and still kicking.
The reality of the situation is a statistic that anybody can find with a simple search. According to the USDA, family owned and operated farms make up 97.6% of the agricultural industry. ( http://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2014-march/family-farming-in-the-united-states.aspx#.VkFZLZVdGpo )
That is a whopping number.
The same source also cites that family farms were responsible for the production of 96% of major field crops, which includes corn, wheat, cotton and soybeans. Not only do they produce 96% of those crops, but they produce 96% of hogs, poultry and eggs.
The only thing left to be disputed about this is what is considered the definition of "family farm." It means different things to different people and can be defined in various ways. In this instance, with these particular statistics, it is defined "as those whose principal operator and people related to the principal operator by blood or marriage own most of the farm business." (Quoted from the article in the link above)
So there you have it. Family farms. They're still around and still kicking.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
You an' Me Going Fishin' in the Dark
"You an' me going fishin' in the dark."
The Nitty Gritty Band popularized this song and it became a theme song for many fishing enthusiasts throughout the years. But take a second to think about fishing a little deeper. People consume tons and tons of fish each year, and it is a popular dish in many countries.
Where do the supplies for these gourmet dishes come from? That's right. Fishing is a part of the agricultural industry. Many people in the Midwest don't think of it as so because Kansas is situated as far from the coasts as possible. Commercial fishing isn't an industry in Kansas. Catfish is popular, but it doesn't play a large role in the ag industry like wheat, cattle and other products do.
On the coasts, however, fishing is one of the largest industries. Not only does it provide the fish for eating, but it creates jobs, as well. Then, you think about the fish by-products like fish oil or eggs, which also bring in revenue.
Think back to the post about aquaponics. The fish used in that process can also be sold commercially or even kept for people's own use.
The Nitty Gritty Band popularized this song and it became a theme song for many fishing enthusiasts throughout the years. But take a second to think about fishing a little deeper. People consume tons and tons of fish each year, and it is a popular dish in many countries.
Where do the supplies for these gourmet dishes come from? That's right. Fishing is a part of the agricultural industry. Many people in the Midwest don't think of it as so because Kansas is situated as far from the coasts as possible. Commercial fishing isn't an industry in Kansas. Catfish is popular, but it doesn't play a large role in the ag industry like wheat, cattle and other products do.
On the coasts, however, fishing is one of the largest industries. Not only does it provide the fish for eating, but it creates jobs, as well. Then, you think about the fish by-products like fish oil or eggs, which also bring in revenue.
Think back to the post about aquaponics. The fish used in that process can also be sold commercially or even kept for people's own use.
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