LOVELOCK - National Ag Week is annually recognized during the first week in March. National Ag Day is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture. However, like many professions, a lack of understanding, education and some ignorance has created a negative stereotype of the farming industry.
The following is an excerpt from a speech given by Mike Rowe, from the TV series "Dirty Jobs," during the 2011 National FFA Convention; "The FFA currently faces an image and perception problem. The previous name of the organization, 'Future Farmers of America,' lends itself to stereotyping by the public. The FFA faces a continuing battle to redefine itself against narrow perceptions of 'agriculture,' 'vocational' and 'farmers.' The name 'FFA' is now used instead of 'Future Farmers of America.'
"Incredible. Have we really become so disconnected from our food that farmers no longer wish to be called farmers? Apparently, yes. The FFA has determined that most Americans think of farmers like those actors in Colonial Williamsburg - smiling caricatures from 'Hee Haw' and 'Green Acres,' laboring quaintly in flannel and denim. From what I've seen, they're right. Over and over I hear the same thing from farmers I've met on 'Dirty Jobs.' Technical advances in modern agriculture now rival those of Silicon Valley, and today's farms are more efficient than ever, but no one seems to have gotten the memo. No one seems to care."
So, my question is, "Does the general public really have a low opinion of farmers?"
Results from a survey conducted by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in 2004, indicated that the U.S. public generally has a high opinion of farmers and ranchers. Along with farmers and ranchers, the groups viewed most favorably by the public are school teachers, veterinarians and physicians. According to the survey, the public strongly believes farmers and ranchers are concerned about food safety and the well-being of their animals. The least favorably viewed groups are trial lawyers, groups active in opposing the use of animals for food and media.
The survey polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults, on consumer opinions about numerous issues related to agriculture, including attitudes regarding food safety, animal welfare practices and genetically engineered feed products.
Other key survey findings were:
• It is believed that farmers impact and have a strong role in healthy and cost-effective food production.
• Respondents believe obesity is a societal and personal concern driven by poor diets and lack of exercise.
• Respondents are generally open to genetically enhanced food. Nearly half of the respondents agree that scientists should be free to use science and genetics to breed farm animals to be resistant to harmful bacteria.
• A significant number of respondents are willing to pay premium prices for food certified and labeled as "humanely raised."
• The influence of animal rights activist groups on respondents' decisions about buying certain products is minimal. Only 7 percent of those surveyed said animal rights groups are "extremely" or "very" influential in these decisions.
We should all be reminded that agriculture is the engine that powered America's past and will propel us out of today's troubles and into a prosperous tomorrow. Agriculture is the industry that has sustained rural Nevada during the "boom/bust" economies experienced over the years.
Mike Rowe sums it all up with this statement, "On 'Dirty Jobs,' I'm no expert. But I have a theory, and it goes like this - all jobs rely on one of two industries - mining and agriculture. Every tangible thing our society needs is either pulled from the ground, or grown from the ground. Without these fundamental industries there would be no jobs of any kind. There would be no economy. Civilization begins with miners and farmers, and polite society is only possible when skilled workers transform those raw materials into something useful or edible."
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