This week is National Agriculture Week. Now, more than ever, the importance of local farmers as essential workers is highlighted as many are hard at work feeding the world. According to Croswell area farmer, Dennis Gardner, it looks like an early spring. Gardner, the Treasurer of the East District Sugar Beet Board and Director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, said that there are about 6,000 acres of sugar beets planted in the Thumb area. He said farmers are hoping for a better year this year than last, as weather conditions had a major impact. Gardner said crop yields last year were about 25-40% less than normal. However, Gardner also said most farmers are optimistic about this year, but a concern is the availability of truckers to get seed and fertilizer delivered.
National Agriculture Week is intended to bring together all of the stakeholders in the industry to recognize the contributions of agriculture and the American farmer. Ag Day is usually celebrated on March 24 at schools around the country. The event didn’t happen this year, but according to the Agriculture Council of America, the hope is to continue reminding people that “Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis…Each American farmer feeds more than 165 people.”
