Many of you may not know that I come from an agricultural background.  My father had nine siblings, seven boys, and most of them spent their youth and much of their adulthood working as farmers.  A great deal of time in my youth was spent at my grandfather’s farm or my uncle’s farm, helping them when I could.  I would put up hay, harvest wheat, bail straw, whatever was needed.  These jobs were tackled with the help of fellow farmers, which usually included enlisting any kids available at the time.  My cousins and I would find ourselves in the highest and hottest point of the hayloft on the days the hay came in, with the older farmers below feeding the bails onto the conveyor.  It was hard work, rewarding work, but I became pretty certain it wasn’t the future work I wanted.  One thing that influenced me in that respect was a conversation I overhead between my grandfather and a fellow farmer.  They were discussing the lack of respect for small farmers, and their sympathy with two fellow farmers whose farms had recently been foreclosed and repossessed (a situation my grandfather had experienced once).

“You know, Joe,” said my grandfather’s friend, “I don’t think ‘they’ think we exist anymore.”

My grandfather turned to him and replied, “Oh yes they do, every night at dinner.”

He was right; people realized ‘someone somewhere’ had brought food to the shelves of the grocery, and as a result food to their table each night.  But it was all taken for granted, what was expected, and the same people didn’t think about those who grew, who processed, who marketed and distributed their food in such a very convenient manner for them.  If they had, they would have realized how very important such a process is to their very existence and economic well-being.

In the future, which begins right now, we’ll be indebted to the members of our agricultural community not only when we sit down at our dinner table, but also when we pull into the station pumps to fuel our car with ethanol, and when we pack precious materials for shipment in packing material made from corn.  The agricultural industry is changing rapidly and incredibly, expanding its products and services along with its markets.  And Michigan is at the forefront in the traditional areas and in the advancements.

I am certain you will find this issue informative and you will at the same time feel a sense of pride as you learn more about our agricultural community.  Let’s give a round of applause and a “go farmers!” to these community members who deal with the vagaries of nature and the marketplace to provide commodities we enjoy year in and year out.  They are a vital part of our future.  Read, be proud, and as always have a prosperous month.

		Chris Holman Publisher

 

 

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