Twenty three FFA students, two FFA Advisors, and two Farm Bureau staff members made the McHenry County FFA Acquaintance Day a success. On March 16, Marengo and Harvard FFA students loaded a charter bus for Northwestern Illinois to get a first hand look at some of the newest technologies used in the agricultural field.
Profile of the Farmer
More than three million people farm or ranch in the United States. Individuals, family partnerships or family corporations operate almost 99 percent of U.S. farms. Over 22 million people are employed in farm or farm-related jobs, including production agriculture, farm inputs, processing and marketing and wholesale and retail sales.
According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, 50 percent of the farmers are 55 years of age or older, up only three percent from 1997. Average age of the principal operator is 55.3.
It's a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless other across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.
McHenry County Farm Bureau Women's Committee presented funds exceeding $400 and food donations exceeding 100 pounds to the Marengo Food Pantry. The donation was in recognition of Food Check-Out Week. The Women's Committee has visited a different food pantry each year for the last five years. In past years they have visited; McHenry, Harvard, Huntley and Woodstock food pantries.
With the continuing economic squeeze, many Americans are concerned that the cost of a healthy diet is out of reach. However, according to an Agriculture Department study, the cost of eating healthy hasn't changed as much as less-healthy alternatives. Eating healthy food within a budget does require smart shopping.
