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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Farming is an essential and, at times, an underappreciated profession. Over 21 million American workers, only 15 percent of the total U.S. workforce, produce, process and sell the nation's food and fiber. That's about 2 million people who are feeding approximately 320 million Americans and are exporting to feed an additional 150 million. It's remarkable to hear the numbers condense to one farmer in America feeding about 160 people.
The Utah Farm Bureau continues to be the voice of agriculture for farmers and ranchers in every county across the state, yet in Utah, farming remains a challenged profession with Utah's farmers still ranking No. 2 in the nation for second jobs to make ends meet.
The 29,000-member Utah Farm Bureau is part of the largest farm organization in the world, the American Farm Bureau Federation. Utah Farm Bureau takes their advocate work seriously, and it's not uncommon for them to be tracking up to 80 bills affecting Utah's farmers and ranchers in the Utah State Legislature.
A big focus today is helping the farmers work through changes in regulation that went into effect this year. Some major components of the Farm Bill were set to expire, which would have been a source of major hardship for many of our farmers. However, temporary extensions have been passed, offering some relief. To give you an idea of the importance of Utah agriculture on the Utah economy, it provides over 70,000 jobs and contributes approximately $15 billion in economic activity that accounts for 14 percent of Utah's gross state product.
That's why Utah Farm Bureau is protecting our farmland for future generations. This involves shifting viewpoints from taking farmers for granted to protecting them and the work they're doing. Today's farmers produce 262 percent more food with 2 percent less inputs compared with 1950.
In America, we're blessed to have wholesome affordable food to fill one of our most basic needs. It's important to support our farms and ranches in America.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Utah Farm Bureau 9865 S. State St. Sandy, UT 84070 801-233-3000 www.utfb.fb.org
