Printable Version
For Immediate Release March 18, 2013
Contact: Scherrie V. Giamanco, FSA State Executive Director 217-241-6600
Rick Graden Executive Officer 217-241-6600
Springfield, IL, March 18, 2013—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Scherrie Giamanco announced that The Illinois Farm Service Agency will join the rest of the agriculture industry in celebrating National Ag Day on March 19. This year marks the 40th anniversary of National Ag Day and the theme is “Generations Nourishing Generations.” The Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) invites everyone to take a moment to celebrate agriculture and honor our hard-working farmers and ranchers in Illinois.
Generation after generation of agricultural producers in Illinois are getting up early every day to provide the food, fiber and fuel that feed and clothe Americans and others around the world.
According to recent USDA studies, the agricultural sector right now remains a bright spot in terms of economic stability and growth and there is a strong demand for U.S. agricultural products.
Despite the onslaught of natural disasters weathered by farmers and ranchers this past year that created less than ideal growing conditions, producers still managed to grow the commodities that keep our economy moving forward. Farmers and ranchers also maintain our abundant supply of renewable resources in an environmentally sensitive manner.
The major commodities produced in Illinois include corn, soybeans and wheat. Illinois is 4th in the Nation of Agricultural product exports that includes all of agriculture fresh produce, corn oil, soybean oil, etc. and contributed $6.69 billion in export revenues in 2012. Today each American farmer produces enough food to feed more than 144 people, a dramatic increase from the 25 people a farmer sustained in 1960. These increased efficiencies demonstrate that American Agriculture is producing more – and doing it better than ever before.
Ag Day is a project of the Agriculture Council of America. For further Ag Day information and events visit www.agday.org
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