March 11, 2008 04:38 pm
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Forty years ago, University of Minnesota alumnus Don Neth was digging in his garden when a thought occurred to him: Farmers work hard — why don’t they have a day, like everyone else?
The idea took root, and Neth started National Agricultural Day. As a result, each year on the first day of spring, we pause to recognize the critical contributions farmers make to the economy of our state and nation. This year, March 20 is the day to celebrate.
Minnesota’s agricultural roots run deep. Agriculture represents roughly 20 percent of Minnesota’s economy and supports more than 400,000 jobs statewide in industries as diverse as manufacturing, transportation, wholesale and retail trade, and real estate. You see the impact of our farmers clearly on the Main Streets of towns like Caledonia, Luverne and Ada. Look a little more closely and you can also see it in our burgeoning food and renewable energy industries, which benefit citizens from across the state.
Minnesota is blessed with rich agricultural diversity. We have both large and small farms, and we are a national leader in both conventional and organic production of crops and livestock. Our farm families are leaders in their local communities, stewards of our natural resources and innovators who deal on a daily basis with Minnesota’s various landscapes, microclimates and other environmental challenges.
Agriculture is also critically important to the University of Minnesota’s research, education and Extension mission. The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences in considered one of the nation’s finest and most productive — devoted to food production and safety; nutrition and human health; and the stewardship of our natural resources. Our world-class researchers generate discoveries that help improve the quality, quantity and safety of our food and the health of the state’s crops and livestock. Our educational programs graduate the next generation of agricultural leaders, scientists and large-animal veterinarians. Our Extension programs provide research-based information that guides producers to economic and environmental success. All of these efforts enable new generations to follow in the footsteps of Norman Borlaug, the University of Minnesota’s most famous agriculturist, who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to reduce world hunger.
When Borlaug was a University of Minnesota student, our agricultural efforts focused on food. That’s still important and our researchers are making discoveries that will help control soybean aphids, reduce the damage caused to pigs by PRRS disease and improve dairy cow comfort. Thirty-five years ago we expanded our definition to include fuel production and built the state’s first research ethanol plant in Morris. Now we have more than 100 University research projects focused on biofuels alone. These projects range from helping corn ethanol plants increase their efficiency to exploring the next generation of renewable fuels.
Agriculture is also important to me personally. I grew up on in farm country in rural Michigan, and learned firsthand the hard work and care that goes in to every acre of productive ground. I know you may not be able to take National Agriculture Day off — but perhaps you can celebrate in other ways.
If you’re a farmer, take a few minutes to know that your hard work to produce food and fuel, your environmental stewardship and your contribution to our economy and quality of life is noticed — and greatly appreciated.
If you’re a consumer, use the day as a reminder that most food doesn’t grow itself, and that Minnesota-grown biofuels are not only contributing to cleaner air in the short term, but are also fueling the search for new sources of scalable and sustainable bioenergy.
And if you’re one of my colleagues at the University of Minnesota, National Agriculture Day is a perfect time to remember the legacy of world-class agricultural research and Extension at our University. Continuing our long tradition of excellence in agricultural education, research and Extension is the ideal way for all of us to show our appreciation.
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