Thank a farmer/rancher for feeding America
Linda Sappington
Ranchers harvest hay in late August to feed cattle in the Ronan/Pablo area.
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News from Montana Farmers Union
GREAT FALLS –With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner Montana Farmers Union wants to recognize Montana farmers and ranchers for their role in feeding America. Agriculture remains Montana’s top industry with nearly 28,000 farms and ranches in operation. The average size of a Montana farm or ranch is more than 2,100 acres.
“Our farmers and ranchers not only put food on the table across the country, but have a commitment to producing the highest quality, locally grown and raised food,” said MFU President Alan Merrill.
Last year Montana agriculture contributed $4.4 million to the U.S. economy. Nationally, on average the nation’s two million family farmers and ranchers feed 155 people and supports 24 million jobs in the United States. Yet, according to the Montana Food Bank Network one in seven people in Montana struggles with hunger. Of those, 46,000 are children.
“It’s unacceptable, the number of Montanans who go hungry, it could be your neighbor or someone in your community,” Merrill said.
Merrill says the key to meeting the demand is preservation of the tried-and-true model of the family farm. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 98 percent of all U.S. farms are owned by individuals, family partnerships or family corporations. “We are proud of the multi-generational farming and ranching families who stay the course through the good times and the bad, just as their parents and grandparents did,” Merrill said. “We are also extremely proud of the development of Montana’s beginning farmers, and the promise they bring to Montana agriculture.”
The farming industry has changed as Montana is now the number one producer of pulse crops in the nation. The ability of Montana’s farmers to adapt to production of alternative crops has contributed to this success. Montana Ag producers are committed to maintaining sustainable food practices to keep Montana agriculture strong now and in the future. Join us in showing your appreciation for Montana farmers and ranchers.
