Find some great ag facts in celebration of National Ag Day.

 

March 21st is National Ag Day. While any day is a good one to thank a farmer, rancher or any other person involved in agriculture, National Ag Day is a great day to explore agriculture’s key roles. Find interesting facts about agriculture that you can share all year long.

National Ag Day Facts

 

The National Ag Day program is run by The Agriculture Council of America (ACA). The ACA is a non-profit made up of leaders in various ag industries who are, “dedicated to increasing the public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in our society.” Explore these facts about National Ag Day:

  • The National Ag Day program was started in 1973.
  • The day is meant to spotlight the importance of agriculture to the public.
  • The theme for 2017 is ‘Agriculture: Food For Life.’

U.S. Ag Facts

 

The U.S. is one of the world’s largest ag exporters, holding the top spot for many commodities. Explore these ag facts from the U.S. Farm Bureau concerning the country’s agriculture industry:

  • There are approximately 2 millionfarms in America, and about 99 percent are operated by families – individuals, family partnerships or family corporations.
  • In 2015,$133.1 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world.
  • OneS. farm feeds 168 people annually in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Today’s farmers produce262 percent more food with fewer inputs (labor, seeds, feed, fertilizer, etc.) compared with 1950.
  • Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable overall and among the world’s safest, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families.

Florida Ag Facts

 

Agriculture is a leading industry in the Sunshine State. The following ag facts about Florida were provided by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), based on 2015 data:

  • Florida had 47,300 commercial farms and ranches, using a total of 9.45 million acres.
  • Florida ranked first in production value for oranges, fresh market tomatoes, watermelons, grapefruit, sugarcane, fresh market snap beans and fresh market cucumbers.
  • Florida ranked second in the U.S. for value of vegetable production, the production of greenhouse and nursery products, bell peppers, strawberries, fresh market sweet corn, spring potatoes, peanuts, tangerines and avocados.
  • Florida ranked 10th in beef cows.
  • Florida accounted for 56 percent of total U.S. citrus production.
  • Florida ranked seventh in the U.S. for agricultural exports, with over $4 billion of agriculture commodities shipped.

 

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.