Most people don’t know that about Florida.  Yet, we’re seventh in the nation in agricultural production.

I grew up in a small town in central Florida, where agriculture was our prime economy.  My family was involved in agriculture.  It was a wonderful place to be raised, and I wouldn’t trade my childhood with anyone else’s.

Last week was the Agriculture Council of America’s National Ag Day, which is a day geared to recognize the abundance provided by our nation’s farmers and ranchers. National Ag Day is all about celebrating and recognizing the contributions they make to our everyday lives.  I’m just sorry that I forgot to post something, so here is my contribution.

Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis; but most of us in America do not truly understand this. Our students usually are not exposed to agriculture, except unless they are enrolled in a related vocational class.  Also, most Americans are raised in cities, and they never venture out into the countryside where agriculture takes place.

So I decided to give you a fact or two about agriculture in America.  Did you know that?

1. Today, every American farmer feeds 144 people — In 1960 one farmer fed 25 people.

Quite simply, American agriculture is doing more – and doing it better with less. Farm and ranch families make up only 2% of our nation’s population.  Farmers today produce 262% more food with 2% fewer inputs (such as seeds, labor, fertilizers) than they did in 1950. 

2.  One in Three Areas is Planted for Export.

As our world population soars, there will be an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.

For every $1 spent on food, farmers get less than 12 cents for the raw product.

In 1830, it took about 250 to 300 labor hours to produce 100 bushels (5 acres) of wheat. In 1975, it took just 3¾ hours.

3.  Farming employs more than 24 million Americans (17% of the total workforce).  The number of farms operated by women have doubled in the U.S. since 1978.

Across the country, nearly 300,000 women serve as principal operators on 62.7 million acres of farm and ranch land, accounting for $12.9 billion in farm products in 2012. In my state alone (Florida), when you look at the principal farm and ranch operators by gender–according to the last ag census, 46,009 were men and 25,705 were women.

Agricultural efficiency has increased over the past century from 27.5 acres per worker in 1890 to 740 acres per worker in 1990.

4. Americans spend about 10% of their income on food, which is the lowest of any country. This means all of us have the other 90% of our income to spend on homes, clothing, and vacations.  This also means that the economic backbone of America rests on our cheap, abundant food.

Most developed countries spend around 15% or more of their income on food.  India spends about half of their income.

5. Agriculture employs more the 22 million people in lots of different jobs.

Agribusiness Management, Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, Building Construction Management, Agriscience, Resource Development and Management; Parks, Recreations, and Tourism Resources; Packaging, Horticulture, Forestry, Food Science, and Fisheries/Wildlife are all categories of agricultural careers.

One out of every five semi truck drivers is hauling raw agricultural products.  This does not include the grocery store trucks you see.

6. Need a job? Several agriculture careers are in demand.

Shortfalls of qualified graduates are needed to work as plant geneticists and plant breeders, climate change analysts, and food safety and security specialists.  Anticipated during 2010–15, according to a Purdue University study.

7. 10 percent of all Americans are involved in farming.

One in 10 Americans play a role in the nation’s food and fiber supply, showing the extreme importance of agricultural awareness and understanding.

Agriculture is too important to only be taught to a small percentage of students considering careers in agriculture and pursuing vocational agricultural studies.