As you’ve probably read, today is World Food Day. While every day is important to people who eat, today we are mindful of celebrating healthy, affordable and sustainable agriculture. I am not a big fan of the tenets the Food Day organization is touting because they don’t support all of agriculture and use misguided rhetoric but I am still a big fan of promoting food production, feeding the world, eating healthy and agricultural efficiency.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture has proposed their own Kansas Food Day and set forth their own priorities:
1)
Promote Well-Balanced, Nutrient Rich Eating Habits:
Kansans of all ages should consume a healthful, well-balanced,
nutrient-rich
diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high-quality
lean protein and low fat dairy products. We should help children develop
healthful eating habits today that they can carry with them from
childhood into adolescence and adulthood.
Promote Well-Balanced, Nutrient Rich Eating Habits:
Kansans of all ages should consume a healthful, well-balanced,
nutrient-rich
diet that includes fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high-quality
lean protein and low fat dairy products. We should help children develop
healthful eating habits today that they can carry with them from
childhood into adolescence and adulthood.
2)
Support All Kansas Farmers and Ranchers:
Consumers lose
when interest groups seek to pit farmer against farmer. In Kansas, we
know that it will take contributions from all farmers and ranchers,
regardless of size or the type of production practices
utilized, to meet growing food demands in Kansas communities, across
the United States and around the globe.
Support All Kansas Farmers and Ranchers:
Consumers lose
when interest groups seek to pit farmer against farmer. In Kansas, we
know that it will take contributions from all farmers and ranchers,
regardless of size or the type of production practices
utilized, to meet growing food demands in Kansas communities, across
the United States and around the globe.
Whether you are a farmer
who grows crops on thousands of acres, a rancher with 100 head of cattle
or a vegetable farmer who grows produce and sells at local farmers
markets, in Kansas, we support you. We are committed
to assuring regulatory programs are reliable and workable and that all
farmers and ranchers have the ability to market their products as they
see fit.
who grows crops on thousands of acres, a rancher with 100 head of cattle
or a vegetable farmer who grows produce and sells at local farmers
markets, in Kansas, we support you. We are committed
to assuring regulatory programs are reliable and workable and that all
farmers and ranchers have the ability to market their products as they
see fit.
3)
Continuously Improve Agricultural Production:
Farmers and ranchers will have to double production in the next 20-30 years to meet food demands.
Improvements in agriculture over the past 30 years have resulted in
farmers and ranchers producing more safe, wholesome food using fewer
resources.
Continuously Improve Agricultural Production:
Farmers and ranchers will have to double production in the next 20-30 years to meet food demands.
Improvements in agriculture over the past 30 years have resulted in
farmers and ranchers producing more safe, wholesome food using fewer
resources.
For example, a study by Washington
State University
in 2007 found that today’s farmers and ranchers raise 13 percent more
beef from 30 percent fewer cattle. When compared with beef production in
1977, each pound of beef produced today
produces 16 percent less carbon emissions; takes 33 percent less land;
and requires 12 percent less water.
State University
in 2007 found that today’s farmers and ranchers raise 13 percent more
beef from 30 percent fewer cattle. When compared with beef production in
1977, each pound of beef produced today
produces 16 percent less carbon emissions; takes 33 percent less land;
and requires 12 percent less water.
Improvements in crop
varieties and production have enabled Kansas farmers and ranchers to
increase yield capabilities using fewer resources. In order to meet food
demands, it will take cooperation among local, state
and federal governments, universities, private entities,
non-governmental organizations and farmers and ranchers.
varieties and production have enabled Kansas farmers and ranchers to
increase yield capabilities using fewer resources. In order to meet food
demands, it will take cooperation among local, state
and federal governments, universities, private entities,
non-governmental organizations and farmers and ranchers.
4)
Reduce Hunger in Our Kansas Communities:
Reducing hunger
and food insecurity rates in Kansas will take a cooperative effort to
improve availability and access to food. Kansas Farm to School programs
work to connect schools (K-12) and local farms
and strives to serve healthful meals in school cafeterias, improve
student nutrition, provide agricultural education opportunities and
support local and regional farmers and ranchers.
Reduce Hunger in Our Kansas Communities:
Reducing hunger
and food insecurity rates in Kansas will take a cooperative effort to
improve availability and access to food. Kansas Farm to School programs
work to connect schools (K-12) and local farms
and strives to serve healthful meals in school cafeterias, improve
student nutrition, provide agricultural education opportunities and
support local and regional farmers and ranchers.
I think these are some pretty dang good goals and we should all strive
to promote agriculture in these ways. These priorities can be applied to any state obviously, not just Kansas. I’ll be tweeting Kansas
agriculture facts with the #foodday2012 tag. I hope you’ll do the same
with your own state!
to promote agriculture in these ways. These priorities can be applied to any state obviously, not just Kansas. I’ll be tweeting Kansas
agriculture facts with the #foodday2012 tag. I hope you’ll do the same
with your own state!
Until next time,
~ Buzzard ~
agriculture, farming, food, food choices, Food Day, food production, Kansas, ranchers, ranching, World Food Day