How Ag Literate Are You?
The Month of March has been designated Agricultural Appreciation Month in recognition of the prominent role agriculture plays in our nation’s framework. The Red River Valley itself was built upon shared agricultural pursuits. It is those pursuits that have enabled the valley to remain one of the top agricultural producers in the nation. In honor of Agricultural Appreciation Month, we salute farmers all across the Red River Valley.
The importance of Ag Literacy:
According to the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), agricultural literacy includes an understanding of agriculture’s history and current economic, social, and environmental significance to all Americans. This understanding includes some knowledge of food and fiber production, processing, and domestic and international marketing.
The ACA established the National Agriculture Day Program in 1973. Ag Day is held each March to ensure that every American understand the fundamental value of agriculture. A specific focus is placed on:
Understanding how food and fiber products are produced. Increased knowledge of agriculture and nutrition allows individuals to make informed personal choices about diet and health.
Appreciating the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products.
Valuing the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. Informed citizens will be able to participate in establishing the policies that will support a competitive agricultural industry in this country and abroad.
Acknowledging and considering career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry. Potential career choices include:
Farm production
Agribusiness management and marketing
Agriculture research and engineering
Food science
Processing and retailing
Banking
Education
Landscape architecture
Urban planning
Energy
The ACA believes that beginning in kindergarten and continuing through 12th grade, all students should receive some systematic instruction about agriculture; that agriculture is too important a topic to be taught only to the small percentage of students considering careers in agriculture.
Farming in the Red River Valley:
According to the US Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 31,900 farms in North Dakota in 2011, compared to 79,800 in Minnesota. A key difference between the two states, however, is the average size of a farm. North Dakota farms average 1,241 acres, while Minnesota averages just 336. So even though Minnesota contains over double the amount of individual farms, North Dakota is still tops in total farmland: 39,600,000 acres to 26,850,000.
Minnesota and North Dakota rank near the top of the country’s agriculture production in several categories. Minnesota currently leads the nation in the production of sugar beets, turkeys, oats, and sweet corn. It is second only to California in wild rice production. North Dakota, on the other hand, leads the nation in the production of dry edible beans, canola, flaxseed, honey, sunflower oil, and wheat (spring and durum).
Both states produce a variety of agricultural products, though each state’s totals are slightly different. The following figures offer production totals that can be used for comparison purposes.
The Future of Farming:
As the world population continues to grow, there is an ever greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the Red River Valley and across the United States. The success of the future, however, rests largely on the upcoming 2013 Farm Bill. A last minute extension of the 2008 Farm Bill in December of 2012 prevented the disruption of key programs and services for American’s farmers. Ensuring that legislation is passed for a 2013 Farm Bill is a key priority for government officials all over the country.
According to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), priorities for the new Farm Bill include programs and services that enable farmers and ranchers to more efficiently product and market their commodities and livestock. A common concern among farmers is the continued funding of state-federal cooperative programs, such as dairy inspection, meat and poultry inspection, plan export inspection, and animal health programs.
Other NASDA priorities include:
A robust and flexible specialty crop black grants program
Full funding and enhanced coordination of invasive species programs
Investment in locally-driven, flexible, and efficient conservation programs
A viable safety net for dairy farmers
For more information on Agriculture Appreciation Month, see this week’s “Eye on Agriculture” section.