The results are in from the latest poll and it looks like most people are optimistic but we have a few doom-and-gloomers. I believe the Agriculture's future is very bright. It has to be or we as a race will cease to exist. Agriculture today, especially American Agriculture, produces more food from less ground than ever before. Equipment advances allow farmers to spend less time plowing and more time budgeting, marketing, planning improving than at any other time in history.On top of all this, the public is ever more curious to know where their food comes from and there are more and more farmers and ranchers who are only too happy to tell them. Why is this a good thing? When people know where the product they are buying comes from, they are more confident that they are making a good purchase. When consumers are confident about their purchases, they buy more. Therefore, if we tell consumers where their food comes from and how it is raised, they will buy more of it and will be more likely to defend us when we are threatened by oppressive regulations. I believe Agriculture also faces a bright future due to the work ethic and positive attitude shown by the past, current and future generations of farmers and ranchers. American agriculture feeds the world. It was also one of the few sectors of the US economy which grew in 2011. Finally, I believe in the future of Agriculture because Agriculture is America's future. True world powers don't just flex their muscle, they feed the hungry, care for the sick and stand up for those weaker than they just as we in rural America do for our neighbors, relatives and countrymen. I think the best way to sum up Agriculture's future was said by E.M. Tiffany in the FFA Creed:
"I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years."
"I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny."
"I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect fro others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public's interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil."
"I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so - for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me."
"I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert and influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task."
Have a nice day!
Right On!
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