Ag to Arkansas
Important as the sun is to the seed

We Americans enjoy a standard of living unmatched in the world.
   Whether we measure this standard by income levels, educational standards, health and safety parameters or other social amenities, the United States provides a rich environment for its people.
   Since most of today's business and industry news is dominated by advances in communications technology, medical science and financial markets, one need not overlook some of this country's basic industries that contribute to our well being (in particular, agriculture, the production of food and fiber).
   One truly important element of our country's standard of living is its food supply. Few people in the U.S. give much thought to the availability of food.
   Yes, families react to how much it costs. Seldom in the past 50 years, if ever, have there been food shortages in the form of empty store shelves or a lack of choices in the foods we eat. Few countries can make such a claim.
   Our nation's self-sufficient food production can be attributed to our relatively stable economy, our system of private property ownership and rights, and the ingenuity and enterprise of those who work the land.
   Today, farmers and ranchers make up less than 2 percent of our population. Yet, their production feeds and clothes this country and many throughout the world. Products from farms and ranches in this country employ millions in food processing, marketing and transportation.
   In the U.S., the scope of our nation's agriculture and food industry is roughly equivalent to that of the health care industry. Both account for about one seventh of the nation's economy.
   In Arkansas, agriculture is even more meaningful. Production, processing and marketing of farm products account for one quarter of the state's economy and employ over 350,000 workers. (For every 100 jobs in our state, the ag industry generates 27.)
   Arkansas ranks as one of the leading agricultural states in the country. Total farm receipts place us 10th largest among all the states. Also, we rank eighth in the nation in value of farm exports, first in rice production, second in poultry and a third in catfish.
   In fact, Arkansas ranks in the top 15 states in the production of 15 different farm products. Such diversity has made agriculture, and helped it remain, a dominant force in the Arkansas economy.
   Further, there's not a single county in the state where farming or farm products are not important components of the local economy.
   To comprehend an industry of such magnitude, try to visualize huge complexes of production facilities.
   Yes, we do have several large facilities right now for processing and marketing farm products. However, the production plant is spread throughout the state. Farm production occurs on some 44,000 individual farms in Arkansas, 99 percent of them family-owned. Also, 84 percent are smaller than 500 acres.
   More than 88 percent of Arkansas' land area is in farm and timber production.
   Agriculture offers this state - and the nation - more than just business and economic advantages. Extensive acreage is set aside each year just for conservation‹and private landowners provide three-quarters of Arkansas' wildlife habitat.
   In addition to habitat preservation, for decades landowners have adopted soil and water conservation measures to protect the environment. Through both voluntary and government-sponsored initiatives, these efforts continue to be improved and expanded.
   Summing up agriculture's importance to our state and the nation as a whole, one might ask, "Who are the beneficiaries?"
   The answer is multi-faceted:
   • Farmers, ranchers and foresters all benefit from the sale of their products. They account for some $6 billion in gross sales in Arkansas each year.
   • Outdoor enthusiasts benefit from the vast variety of native wildlife.
   • Society benefits from landowners' concerted efforts to protect the environment.
   • All consumers benefit from the abundant food supply our vast agricultural industry keeps before us.
   By almost any measure, the U.S. food supply is the most safe and wholesome of any in the world. The quality of the American diet is testament to not only food availability, but to its affordability, as well.
   On average, U.S. families spend less than 11 percent of their incomes on food. Advances in farm productivity, along with maintaining farm profit, are and will continue to be in consumers' best interest.
   The distance any of us need travel to experience just how important farming is to our state is no farther than our dinner tables.

-- Travis Justice is senior economist in Commodity & Public Policy, Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation.