Day 285 – Happy National Farmers Day!  It’s a day for everyone to acknowledge the hard work that goes into feeding and supplying a nation.

Here are some interesting farming facts:

1. There are about 2 million farms in the U.S. – Nearly all these farms are family-run.
2. One U.S. farm can feed 166 people – Farmers around the world will have to grow about 70% more food than they do now in order to meet demands by the year 2050.
3. U.S. has more than 900 million acres of farmland
4. Top farm products in the U.S. are cattle, corn and soybeans
5. Soybean production is key to making crayons – One acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons.
6. The U.S. is home to 47 breeds of sheep – Every baseball requires 150 yards of wool.
7. Net losses at US farms are on the rise – Most farmers need outside work to make ends meet.
8. Less than 1% of US farmland is organic –  The vast majority of the organic food consumed in the U.S. is imported.
9. The US is the world’s third-biggest food supplier – U.S. farmers produce 10% of the world’s wheat and 20% percent of the world’s beef, pork, and lamb.
10. Most farmers’ markets source products within 50 miles – Farmers who supply supermarkets typically live 1,500 miles away. On average, farmers get about 17 cents of every dollar that store shoppers spend on food; those at farmers’ markets take home more than 90% of food dollars.

So if you get a chance, thank the farmers who plow, sow, raise, feed, and harvest to provide the food and materials that our country needs to succeed.

Tomorrow, breaking it down!