By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Agriculture is the foundation of America, and National Ag Day recognizes the contributions of farmers, ranchers, foresters and others who make it all possible.

In Texas, agriculture remains one of the state’s largest economic drivers, generating nearly $886 billion in total economic output and contributes $15.3 billion in exports.

More than 4.4 million Texans work in jobs connected to agriculture, earning a combined $246.26 billion in wages. Of those, nearly 2.3 million are directly employed in agriculture, totaling $84.46 billion in wages.

Texas farmers grow a wide range of commodities, including grains, cotton, timber, fruits and vegetables. The state is widely known for its cattle industry, but sheep, goats and poultry also play a major role in the agricultural economy.

“National Ag Day recognizes the hard work farmers and ranchers do every day to keep food on our tables and our economy moving,” Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said. “It’s also an opportunity to connect consumers with farmers and ranchers to better understand how agriculture touches their lives daily.”

The annual observance encourages Americans to learn more about how their food and fiber is grown, recognizes agriculture’s role in providing safe products and explores the many career opportunities within agriculture.

“Agriculture connects all of us,” Boening said. “It supports our food supply, our natural resources and countless careers, whether that’s education and research or engineering and food safety. Agriculture is a vital part of our life and our future.”

As Texas continues to grow, so does the gap between agriculture and consumers. With urban expansion reducing available farmland, increasing agricultural awareness is more important than ever.

To help cultivate that understanding, TFB works to build relationships in schools, communities and Congress.

TFB fosters agricultural literacy through membership and a variety of educational opportunities, including agriculture in the classroom, teacher workshops, free lesson plans and learning resources, among others.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America, a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community. The organization has been hosting Ag Day annually since 1973.