It’s National Agriculture Week 2020, and we are celebrating the community surrounding our American food supply. This isn’t limited to farmers and ranchers, but includes those involved in transportation, food processing, equipment manufacturing, agricultural sales, Extension and agricultural education, human resources at agribusinesses, and food safety & testing.

We lift up the efforts of those who are involved in our food production for a few reasons. First, they are small in number. Only 2% of the American population is directly involved in agriculture, and therefore, we need to share their good work with the world since oftentimes they are “unsung heroes” and behind the scenes.

Secondly, the truth is that our nation’s security depends on our ability to grow and supply food. In times of this coronavirus pandemic, the United States would be a scary place if we weren’t trusting in our grocery stores and agriculture industry to provide for us. (Think: toilet paper fiasco…but with food. Nothing to eat and people not getting what they need to survive. Scary, right?)

And thirdly, there seems to be somewhat of a myth out there in the world that you must have grown up on a farm to want to work in agriculture or to be passionate about our food supply. That’s simply not true. As I’ve mentioned, very few people actually have the opportunity to work, let alone live, on a farm. It would be silly of us all to have this “prerequisite” saying you must have grown crops or raised animals to care about your food and want to work in this field. The agriculture community welcomes all those who are passionate about food and food production, willing to learn new things, and hard working. That’s all it takes, believe it or not.

There’s something really beautiful about the agriculture industry, and that no matter what, it keeps going on. Agriculturalists find ways to solve problems and always make the best out of things. For example, they’re so resourceful and problem-solving in nature that they use the same three tools to solve many problems: duct tape WD-40, and baler twine. You’d be amazed at what you can do with those three things. But really, this community is the backbone of the country and keeps going and growing, literally…no matter what.

Another beautiful thing in agriculture is that there’s a place for everyone doing things they’re talented and passionate about. It doesn’t have to be planting and harvesting crops or working on tractors, but it can be in food science and safety, transportation logistics, data analytics, people management, government relations and policy, education, sales, or journalism. You can be a part of making a difference in the local, national, and global food supply by working in those fields that contribute to agriculture.

To showcase the “who” behind your food supply, I’ve gathered some photos from friends across the United States in various sectors to show just how many people are involved in getting food to your plate – in global pandemics and in every day life. These people don’t stop their jobs so that you and your family are provided for. It’s not representative of all of the hands that get food to your plate (there are MANY more not included), but it’s a small glance at some of the tremendous people that provide for us in countless ways. Now let’s take a look:

Meet D.J. from Minnesota. D.J. lives and works on his family farm that has been involved in farming since the 1880’s. He grows soybeans and corn, but he doesn’t stop there. In addition to farming as a full-time job, D.J. also advocates for corn growers across Minnesota to ensure they are adding value to corn grown in the state and promoting and protecting the farmers’ ability to grow the crop. Since farmers are such a small percentage of the population, it’s imperative that people who do this every day, like D.J., stand up for farmers in the government, share their work with people who don’t know what farmers do every day, and look for opportunities to expand the industry in new ways.

Meet Kyle in Indiana. Kyle works in the equipment sector, as he designs systems for farmers to store their harvested crops in. He plays a big part in making sure the crops that farmers harvest stay safe in things like grain bins until they can get to the next part of the supply chain – processing. If farmers have problems with their tools and systems, Kyle can help them troubleshoot, too. Kyle’s degree in feed science and experience in this sector helps him be a trusted expert in designing and managing these bulk solid handling systems before it even gets to products, like food or crayons (made from soybean oil), that we all use and love.

Meet Madison from Virginia. Madison works in a meat processing plant that works with animals that have already been processed, and need a little bit more processing in order to be “table ready”. She plays a vital part in ensuring that all of the products in that plant are safe for you and your families to eat. Her company and team collaborates with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to abide by national standards at consistently throughout the year. She manages other teammates at the plant, too, and holds people accountable to the same standards. Her experience from working in her university’s meat science lab allowed her to grow deeply in this field before she even entered the workforce.

Meet James from California. James works for a large chemical and seed company and is in a development program that teaches him all about the crop protection and seed industry before he enters his own territory as a sales representative. He is learning about what farmers need and the solutions his company can bring to them to make the most out of every acre they farm. His company puts a lot of time, money, and energy into training him in products, sales, and marketing, so that he can be a great resource to farmers, agricultural retailers, and the crop industry.

Meet Emmy in Maryland. Emmy grew up on a farm with roots in dairy and has had a love for cows instilled in her for as long as she can remember. Her family has continued to stay ahead of the curve to look for new ways to add value to their dairy farm both for their family and for the public. They opened a creamery and dairy store/restaurant, and that is a large part of their lives. Since her parents focused on that part of the business, Emmy decided she wanted to find new ways to continue her family’s work in agriculture and keep adding value, so she ventured into raising turkeys. She focuses on selling the turkeys locally, and provides the best care she can for them each and every day.

 

Meet Eli in Virginia. Eli is a farmer who is constantly looking for new ways to be innovative on his farm and to be profitable for his family’s operation. Eli grows pumpkins every year and welcomes hundreds of Virginia families and schools to his farm in the fall as they learn about agriculture from their custom agri-tourism experience. They merge state tourism with agriculture by having a “Virginia is for Lovers” sign where people come from all over to visit. In order to continue being profitable and sustainable, he looks at exploring new avenues in his crops – whether that’s with seed varieties or organic management options. Farmers have to always find ways to be better, and Eli does that with each decision he makes.

Meet Joy in Connecticut. Joy grew up near Washington, D.C. and learned about agriculture through a nearby buffalo farm. Her interest grew in college for the agricultural sciences, and she received a degree in dairy science. She has since spent the past few years taking care of dairy cows on various farms, including organic and conventional practicing operations, and loves connecting with the animals. She constantly is looking for new ways to not only care for animals, but share what agriculture is doing with those who aren’t directly involved in the industry. She hosts a podcast focused on explaining the truth and busting the myths surrounding agriculture, and cares deeply about helping people feel connected to their food, the way it was raised, and who raised it.

Meet Amy from Maryland. Amy is a veterinarian and is focused on top-notch animal care for all, from cows and sheep to horses and goats. Because she cares so deeply about the lives of animals, she spent many years in school learning about how to be the best vet she can be. No matter what’s going on in the world, Amy remains on call for local farmers and animal owners in case of emergencies, and does routine work with them to ensure they’re as healthy as can be. Healthy animals are happy animals, and Amy is a large part of making sure animals live their best lives.

 

Meet Rebekah (Washington), Michaila (North Carolina), and Emily (Georgia). They are a part of a sales team in a large chemical and seed company that help farmers make smart choices for their farms. They help farmers and ag retailers think about the economics, sustainability, and agronomics of each decision to minimize risk in a very risky business (farming). You can’t control the weather, but you can control many other things in regards to your crops, so these sales reps and their teams help growers make smart decisions.

Meet Haley in Nebraska. Haley works for a transportation company that literally moves products we use every day via rail. Transportation is a critical segment of the agriculture community because the products farmers and ranchers grow and raise are found in every small corner of the country, and we need to get those products to the people. Haley’s company does just that, and her role in marketing and sales allows her to problem-solve with customers in regards to using rail to move the products we all need and love.

 

Meet Travis from Iowa. Travis has always been passionate about agriculture and helping people. In college, Travis studied agricultural business, where he found an avenue to marry both passions in the form of agricultural lending. Travis is a financial officer whose main priorities are lending money and providing advice to farmers in the eastern part of the state to make them profitable. Without Travis and his colleagues, many farmers wouldn’t be able to continue farming because of the substantial capital it requires to farm. In providing loans, farmers can work with Travis to grow, maintain, or change their operations in a way that works for them. Having agriculture-focused banks across the country allows a sometimes complicated industry feel much more understood. In challenging and easier times, farmers rely on people like Travis for them to continue doing what they love.

Meet Austin from Maryland. Austin grew up on his family’s dairy farm and went to college to study dairy science. In school, he learned about dairy genetics, anatomy, and reproduction, in addition to business-type classes in management and finance. After graduating, he went back to his family’s farm to work full-time, where he brought his education to work. Austin’s family values superior genetics on their farm, meaning they put a lot of time and resources into ensuring that the cows they breed and raise are going to be strong, healthy, and efficient. His family shows their cattle around the state where dairy cattle are judged based on their genetic characteristics. At the end of the day, Austin and his family cares mostly about the health, safety, and happiness of their animals, and ensuring that people who love to eat/drink dairy products are able to do so.

Meet Abby from North Carolina. Abby cares deeply about ensuring farmers can do their jobs to the best of their abilities with the most up-to-date information available. Abby works for an Extension service, meaning she and her fellow agents take the work of her land-grant university to the farmers, giving them recommendations backed by science and research so they can be productive, sustainable, and economically smart. She is a trusted advisor to farmers and helps them in all areas of their operations, from hay production to beef cattle. Because farmers never get a day off, Abby spends many evenings and weekends working with farmers, too, as she aids them in making their operations stronger and better.

Meet Alondra in Texas. Alondra is committed to ensuring her company’s employees are provided for, listened to, and assisted in various ways. She is available to her employees at all times and serves as a resource so that they can carry out their job responsibilities efficiently. She is passionate about the people side of agriculture, and uses this passion through caring for her employees and recruiting for future talent in the company. The most important part of any team is its people, and Alondra champions that so they can succeed at feeding the population through pork and beef production.

The agriculture industry is huge in scope and talent, but small in number. I hope that these descriptions of passionate, caring folks help you better understand who your food comes from and why you can fully believe that American food production is safe and strong. Many people think “large companies are running our food industry,” but as you can see, in reality, the hearts, minds, and skills of many people come together to provide for you and your families.

If you have questions about anything described above or are more curious about where your place can be in agriculture after reading this, please reach out to me or any of the talented folks mentioned as we’d love to help you find a special spot in the community. Thanks to all of these people for not only allowing me to share a little bit about them and what they do, but also for the hard work they do.

I hope that in the midst of a global pandemic, one thing you can count on is the people that provide for us and the care they put into our food. Thanks for reading, and happy National Agriculture Week!