Here to tell us more about how the SC Department of Agriculture is marking National Ag Day is SC Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers.

Commissioner Weathers:

Yes, National Ag Day is March 19.

This is when we take the time to recognize, appreciate and thank our ag workers, farmers, and ag industries.

March is an appropriate time to honor the agriculture industry because farmers are out there preparing for the seasons ahead – preparing the land, planting, and planning. We are seeing the first spring crops hitting markets, too.

Here in SC, ag is the state’s No. 1 industry, accounting for 259,215 jobs and $51.8 billion in annual economic impact.

We know based on the new Ag Census that we have fewer farmers than five years ago (about 8 percent fewer). But farming continues to get more efficient.

To put it in perspective, each American farmer feeds more than 165 people.

Fewer farmers means fewer people who know a farmer, which is why National Ag Day is especially important. We need to help people understand who grows their food, fiber and fuel.

I encourage you to thank a farmer or anyone you know that works in the ag industry this month.

Happy National Ag Month from SCDA!