Agriculture is Montana’s number one industry, and each year Montana farmers and ranchers contribute billions of dollars to the state’s economy.
This week, Montana and the rest of the nation are celebrating National Ag Week.
Ben Thomas is the Montana Department of Agriculture director and says it’s a time each year that recognizes and celebrates the contribution that farmers and ranchers make in our everyday lives.
“If you think about it, ag is really the foundation of any modern-day society. It’s fully appropriate that we take some time out every year to really celebrate the unsung heroes of our country- the farmers and ranchers,” said Thomas. “In Montana specifically, ag is really the foundation of the state’s economy. A lot of people don’t realize that and don’t think of that. They just go to the grocery store, walk down the aisle and buy what they need. It’s incredibly appropriate to take some time to recognize that and to thank those folks.”
Each American farmer feeds more than 165 people, a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. Ryan Bogar is a farmer from Vida in northeastern Montana and says he’s proud to do what he does.
“It’s a new challenge every day. No day is the same and you get to create a product that somebody will enjoy,” said Bogar. “A safe, reliable food source is what every country needs, and we can provide that.”
Quite simply, American agriculture is doing more, and doing it better. As the world population soars, there’s a greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States, more specifically from states like Montana.
And our farmers and ranchers are up for the task.
Source: MTN & Northern Ag Network
