This is a historical day. For many Americans, it is a time to remember the loss of loved ones, but for all Americans, it is a time to remember the price of freedom.

Today is the day we remember those whose life was cut short during acts of terrorism. Some were innocent everyday citizens like you and me just trying to make a living. Some were innocent everyday citizens who gave their lives to protect others. Others were dedicated to their profession of taking care of everyday citizens during times of emergency, and they gave their lives because of this dedication.

Today is a time to remember and to give thanks for what we have in this great nation. You should be displaying your American flag in memory of those who lost their lives, in honor of those who serve this country to keep it free, and in appreciation for the many Americans who give of themselves every day to make this an even greater nation.

Whenever I think about this great nation, one aspect of its greatness usually comes to my mind. Since I am so closely associated with agriculture, I naturally think about our massive food production system.

Although many of us are concerned about the rising cost of foods, we fail to understand that as Americans, we still spend only about 12 percent of our income on food. This is in comparison to many other developed countries where their citizens spend 25 percent or more of their income on foods. The citizens of many underdeveloped countries routinely spend more than 50 percent of every dollar they earn just to buy food for themselves and their families.

Another thought is that so very few of our American citizens are actually farmers. Less than 2 percent of Americans are directly involved in growing the foods we eat every day. The rest of us do other things to make a living. Some of us have professions that are necessary, like teaching, medicine, distribution, or utilities. But far more of us make a living in non-necessary professions that just make life more enjoyable, like restaurants, travel, entertainment, landscaping, and dozens of other service-related professions.

Many of us do not even know a real farmer by name, and many children today will never have an opportunity to see firsthand where our foods are produced. Our children may visit a hobby farm as part of a school field trip or gaze at the vast selection of fruits and vegetables in the grocery store, but unfortunately, many of them will never gain a true appreciation for what it takes to produce the foods we take for granted.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend the Board of Directors meeting of the Robeson County Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau is one of the largest and most effective advocates of American agriculture. During this meeting, some information was distributed about the cost of foods, the cost of producing these foods, and the income generated on farms. This information was first developed in Washington County, Georgia, by Washington County Cooperative Extension and Washington County Farm Bureau in an attempt to determine how these factors changed between 1965 and 1998. Since then, these numbers have been updated to accurately represent the entire food system as well as farmers and farms throughout the entire nation.

Space in this column does not allow for discussion on all indicators in this study. However, I will share a few of them and the final conclusions.

Farm input costs have risen drastically since 1965. What farmers spend for the things they buy to grow the foods you eat has increased an average of 1,174 percent. Since 1965, fertilizer has risen from $38 to $420 a ton. Diesel fuel has risen from $.15 to $3.45 per gallon and gasoline from $.25 to $3.50 per gallon. Lime has increased from $6 to $42 per ton and seed corn from $12 to $150 per bushel. Seed cotton for planning just one acre has increased from $1.70 to $60. An average pickup truck has increased in cost from $2,500 to $20,000, a tractor from $6,500 to $58,000, and a combine from $6,900 to $153,000.

Food costs have risen as well, but by only a little more than half as much. Average food costs have increased 722 percent since 1965. Bacon has increased from $.49 to $3.90 a pound, steak from $.69 to $9.99 a pound, peanut butter from $.30 to $2.06 per pound, and pork chops from $.33 to $2.24 per pound. Corn flakes have increased from $.31 to $2.82 per pound, with the farmer receiving less for the corn in the box than the cost of the cardboard box the cornflakes are in.

Farm income has risen as well but not nearly as much as the cost of foods and the cost of the inputs to produce the foods. Farm income has increased an average of only 153 percent since 1965. Corn has increased from $1.50 to $5 per bushel, soybeans from $3 to $11.98 per bushel, and wheat from $2.05 to $6.89 per bushel. Cotton has increased in price from $.49 to $.77 per pound.

Our American farmers, the ones we rely on to produce our foods and fibers, are caught in an alarming dilemma. The cost of the supplies they buy has increased by 1,174 percent since 1965, but their income has increased by only 153 percent. It will be very difficult for family farms to continue this trend in the future.

Consumers, as well as major food companies, are blaming American farmers for the rising costs of food. But farmers are not selling corn to consumers; they are selling it to the food companies that use it to produce the foods that consumers purchase. These companies are responsible for food cost rising 722 percent while farm income has increased only 153 percent.

If you happen to see a farmer, thank them for producing your foods. Stop by the Farmers Market in downtown Lumberton on Wednesday or Saturday morning and buy your food directly from a farmer. Go to a local farm and buy foods directly from a producer. Want to know what is available locally; just call my office at 671-3276.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 10/15/08