National Farmer’s Day, October 12, is a day to honor hardworking farmers throughout America’s history. Only 2% of us feed and sustain the rest of us! Take a moment to learn more—and discover little ways to show farmers appreciation and gratitude.
Who is the modern farmer? Every 5 years, the United States Department of Agriculture conducts a census of U.S. farmers.
Thomasson Family Farm :
- While the latest census data shows that the majority of farmers are older (average age: 58+), there are also more young men, women, and minority farmers than ever before.
- You may be surprised to learn that 97.1% of farms in America are family farms—family-owned and family-operated.
We need farmers of the future to plant, feed, raise, and harvest all of the food that keeps our citizens fed.
While only 2% of our population are farmers, farmers’ contribution to the economy extends well beyond the food they grow for us to eat. In 2019, 22.2 million full- and part-time jobs were related to the agricultural and food sectors—10.9% of total U.S. employment.
Farmers keep many communities alive including
- trucking, railroads, and transportation
- clothing, textiles, and leather goods
- grocery stores, food services, eating and drinking places
- food and beverage manufacturing
- pharmaceuticals
- forestry and fisheries
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMER
Supporting your local farmer is easy! Here are a few ideas:
- Buy fruits and vegetables from a farmers’ markets. Many small farms sell directly to the consumer through farmers’ markets. You’ll meet the local farmers who grew your food, learn about their farming practices, and buy the freshest produce, eggs, and meat
- Visit pick-your-own farms. They’ll supply everything from berries to vegetables to apples to pumpkins. There are you-pick-flower farms in many towns
- Keep your eyes and ears out for local small-town festivals. From persimmon festivals to pawpaw festivals to garlic festivals, you’re supporting farming communities.
