Imagine for a moment sitting down at the dining table on Thanksgiving only to find empty plates – no turkey, gravy, and stuffing; no pumpkin pie or rolls; no sweet potato or green bean casserole to be had. Thankfully, that’s not the case, because America’s farm and ranch families work with grit and determination every single day to ensure we remain fed, clothed, and fueled.
This Thanksgiving, sharing our gratitude for our farmers and ranchers is even more critical. Agriculture is facing historic challenges, including skyrocketing input costs and plummeting crop prices. Farmers and ranchers urgently need Congress to strengthen the farm safety net.
Even when faced with financial uncertainty, America’s farmers roll up their sleeves and put in the work, sun-up to sun-down. They make Thanksgiving dinner possible. That delicious pumpkin pie and the many desserts that make the season extra sweet? Yep – you can thank a sugarbeet or sugarcane farmer. The turkey, ham, or roast your family may enjoy as part of the celebration? Raised on American-grown feed by the careful hand of America’s livestock producers. Stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes, whipped cream, and the cheese and butter in some of your favorite side dishes? You guessed it – you can thank a farmer for that too.
Meet a few of those folks here:
America’s sugarcane and sugarbeet farmers provide us with the sugar that is so integral to this holiday season. Meet little miss Alice, a future sugarbeet farmer. A strong safety net and robust Farm Bill ensure that the next generation – like Alice – is able to continue America’s family farming traditions.
Jim Sugarek and his family are sixth-generation farmers – so when they say agriculture is the family business, they mean it. Jim and his family raise corn, wheat, and cattle, which may end up on a Thanksgiving table as a freshly baked loaf of bread or a prime rib roast. He also serves as President of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness.
Dr. Dana Allen-Tully and her family own and manage Gar-Lin Dairy, a diversified family farm operation in Eyota, Minnesota, producing dairy and a number of row crops. We all know Thanksgiving would not be complete without buttery mashed potatoes or the whipped cream on pies. Dr. Allen-Tully recently completed a term as President of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, where she spent time on Capitol Hill advocating for strong farm policy for America’s farm and ranch families, just like hers.
Fourth-generation Arkansas rice farmer Jennifer James looks forward to passing down her family’s sustainability lessons to the next generation. Rice is a key ingredient in many of our favorite holiday dishes, and, of course, is an essential part of your post-football game brew!
Oklahoma wheat farmer and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, Keeff Felty, provides the wheat that many of us enjoy in dinner rolls, stuffing, and other baked goods. Farming isn’t just a job for the Felty family though: “As farmers we are directly connected to the land that we work and care for. Our daily activities provide the foundation for the health and wealth of our local communities and ultimately the entire nation.”
The Dunlow family of North Carolina has grown cotton for generations, and William Dunlow hopes to continue it as the fifth generation, while also providing his children the opportunity to continue the tradition as well. Cotton is woven into so many family traditions, from tablecloths passed down from older generations to a well-worn and beloved apron.
These are just a few of the hardworking men and women who provide us the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food supply in the world. Food security is national security, and a robust farm safety net provides the certainty producers need to ensure that the tradition continues.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and thank a farmer for all their hard work to keep you fed, fueled, and clothed this holiday season!
#THANKAFARMER