Ag producers celebrated at Ag Appreciation dinner

Nearly 200 residents of Red Oak and the surrounding area participated in the 6th annual Ag Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Red Oak Chamber and Industry’s Rural Commerce Committee.
The event was held March 19 at the White Fair Building. Attendees enjoyed a meal and the comedy of featured speaker David Ferrell. Rural Commerce Committee member Will Frazee welcomed the attendees to the event.
“This is the 51st anniversary of National Ag Day. That’s 51 years of recognizing agriculture’s role in American life, and it is certainly an achievement worth celebrating,” Frazee said.
Frazee added it was important to show appreciation to everyone involved in the production of food, fiber, feed, fuel, and the many other products that touch people’s lives every day, as well as provide education.
“We also want to take the opportunity to educate the public about agriculture and how important it is to their everyday lives. Food and fiber doesn’t just arrive at the grocery store or the clothing store, or magically appear on the dinner table or in the pantry. There’s an entire industry dedicated to providing plentiful and safe food for consumption, as well as a wide range of other products ranging from clothing to medicine. We rely on agriculture for the very necessities of life. From beef and pork, to cotton and corn, agriculture is working harder than ever to meet the needs of Americans and others around the world,” advised Frazee.
Frazee felt it was important to remember that American agriculture is doing things better, and more effectively, every day.
“Each American farmer feeds about 166 people. Agriculture is America’s number one export. New technology means farmers are more environmentally friendly than ever before. Agriculture is more efficient than ever in using less resources to produce more. Around 2% of the nation’s population is directly employed in the agriculture sector,” commented Frazee.
Frazee added Iowa ranks number one in the production of corn, hogs, soybeans, and eggs. In total value of agriculture production, Frazee said Iowa ranked second only to California.
“Agriculture is the leading employer in Iowa, and the driver of our economy. No one is more committed to protecting the land than America’s farmers. The country’s soil, air, and water are the most precious resources,” commented Frazee. “Thank you everyone who does what they do to make agriculture possible.”