Those of us in agriculture, whether farmers, ranchers, fishermen or loggers, pause to reflect on what may be listed as the least desirable occupations in the Country, but probably are the most important. Few days pass that we hear of stories of poor housing or storms and fires that destroy housing and the forester's product. The western fires raged in September. Hurricanes devastated crops last month. It was monsoon season in a part of the world.
Few fish remain in some of our oceans.
With such adversity, farmers in America still produce more, high quality, nutritional, inexpensive food than anywhere else in the world. Many farmers do it with little or no return on their investment. They still work long hours at low-income wages and have a demanding, stressful work environment. Farmers for the most part, like what they do, and will continue as long as they possibly can. Long time farmers tell us that it is that ability to be in touch with nature, test management skills, make independent decisions and live with the consequences, that attract them to this way of life.