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Every Week is Ag Week in Missouri

Columbia, MO (AgNewsWire) This week marks the 36th anniversary of National Ag Week, a nationwide effort to recognize agriculture's contribution to the everyday lives of Americans. In Missouri, the state's commodity groups are working to ensure this key message is extended beyond March 15-21. "National Ag Week provides a great opportunity to highlight the success of the agriculture industry, how agriculture revitalizes our rural communities and brings dollars into the state's economy," said John Kleiboeker, Missouri Beef Industry Council executive director. "But this message needs to be shared year round, not just during National Ag Week."

That is why thirteen of Missouri's agriculture organizations are once again teaming up for the third year in a row to educate elected officials and local leaders on the importance of agriculture to Missouri's economy through the popular Lunch & Learn series which will begin again this spring.

"Our overall goal for the Lunch and Learn series is to allow community thought leaders to get out and see what a real working Missouri farm or ranch is all about," said Kleiboeker. "They can see first-hand then just how valuable agriculture is to their own community."

Becky Frankenbach, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council director of communications, says agriculture is the number one economic driver in Missouri. "Agriculture is such an important part of the economy," Frankenbach said. "For example, last year Missouri corn farmers harvested 363 million bushels, valued at over $1.5 billion. When you look at the entire ag economy in the state, you're talking about an economic injection of $12 billion annually."

Last year, twenty Lunch and Learn programs were held across the state giving community leaders the chance to talk directly with farmers to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Missouri's grain and livestock industries.

"We really hope that they walk away with a greater appreciation of agriculture," said Frankenbach. "We want them to understand that farmers are working smarter, thanks to increasing biotechnology and better management practices, and they're doing it in a way that's environmentally friendly. We're providing food, feed and fiber for the world and we're doing better with less."

One American farmer now supplies food for about 144 people, compared with just 46 people in 1960. According to the Agriculture Council of America, U.S. consumers spend roughly 9 percent of their income on food compared with 11 percent in the United Kingdom, 17 percent in Japan, 27 percent in South Africa and 53 percent in India.

Partners in the 2009 Lunch and Learn Series include: the Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Dairy Association, Midwest Dairy Association, Missouri Department of Agriculture, The Missouri Egg Council, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Pork Association, The Poultry Federation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and the University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.