KUFM Commentary by Montana Farmers Union

Presented by Sandy Courtnage

March 13, 2007

Spring is just around the corner

            Hanging next to my front door is an antique water color of summer garden flowers that frame some advice printed in beautiful calligraphy.  This garage sale treasure says:

                        May every gardener be Endowed

With the Power to Read and Understand

The Lessons Taught in Nature’s book.

            With Spring just around the corner, I find myself reading this message in tandem with my own garden planning.

Also at work we’re planning on the first day of Spring to acknowledge National Ag Day.  An entire day in Helena is being organized to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. 

            These independent business people provide for their families by growing and producing food and fiber.  In the United States, more than 22 million people are employed in farm or farm-related jobs – everything from growing crops and raising livestock to processing, marketing and selling. 

            In the 1960s, one farmer supplied food for 26 people in the United States and abroad.  Today, one farmer supplies food for 144 people.  This increase in the productivity of U.S. farmers benefits the United States consumer – particularly in the pocketbook.  Americans spend less on food than any other developed nation in the world.  In 2004, the average American spent just 2 percent of their disposable income on meat and poultry, compared to 4.1 percent in 1970.

            And here’s an astonishing fact:  Americans eat almost 90 acres of pizza every day.  I’m not sure what it says about American consumers, but it certainly speaks volumes about the more than three million people who farm or ranch in the United States today, and to whom we owe our thanks for the wide variety and quality of food available, including ingredients for all those pizzas.

            I’m relating these statistics to emphasize the breadth and importance of agriculture in this country.

            You might ask why we should celebrate something that many of us in Montana take for granted?  We are surrounded by agricultural activity – from newly born calves and lambs to the beginnings of spring-time cultivation and planting.  In fact, many of the good things we eat, wear and use can be provided by American agriculture. 

            Yes, there is much to celebrate, and in Helena this year there will be a lunch in the Capitol Rotunda for legislators and visitors featuring many Montana food items.  There will be trade booths and the Department of Agriculture will host a two-day Montana Agriculture Showcase.  This is an opportunity for legislators to learn more about the diversity of manufactured and value-added products in our state and their impact on Montana’s agricultural industry. 

            Product samples will be on display, and the department will answer questions about companies and their goods.  This event is another fun way for entrepreneurs to showcase and increase awareness of their efforts.

It also needs to be mentioned that farmers and ranchers who want to stay in business also need to be good stewards of the land.  They maintain and improve the soil and natural resources to pass along to future generations.  And, agricultural land provides habitat for 75 percent of the nation’s wildlife.

For sure, methods of production over the years have evolved from a team of horses to horse-powered tractors, but the goals remain fairly steady – to provide nutritious and useful food and fiber for family, community and, at times, the world.

And there’s another benefit that is well known to amateur gardeners and full-time farmers alike:  that is the mental health benefits of purposeful work in the dirt.

As former President Harry Truman said, “The most peaceful thing in the world is plowing a field.  Chances are you’ll do your best thinking that way.”

For the Montana Farmers Union, I’m Sandy Courtnage.  Thanks for listening.