A week to honor our agricultural heritage

Doug Mayhugh / How I See It
Published: March 19, 2008

Editor's note: This is National Agricultural Week with today set aside as National Agricultural Day.

I'm still amazed as I walk the soil of Virginia, and speak about Farm Bureau Federation efforts. So few people know who we are, let alone what we do. So, for those of you who don't know, this is who we are and what we do.

The Virginia Farm Bureau is a community-minded, non profit federation that fights for safe, domestic food products for you and your family through legislative lobbying, news, information and leadership development programs, as well as other products and services.

We bring agriculture education to the classroom and support local, county and state programs and events to promote community awareness of the need to fight for our farms and your local farmers market. We need to fight for support systems that ensure safe food products are on your table for your family. 

The federation provides early learning tools and experiences that are promoted with the great hope of inspiring young minds to appreciate the importance of agriculture.

Our hope is that our children and grandchildren will learn excellent entrepreneurial skills by studying the business of farming.

There is no other business so totally dependent on the elements for success. It doesn't matter how smart, educated or experienced the farmer is, one catastrophic event can wipe out our crop, our business and our family is financial stability. Our passion to meet the needs of you and your family helps us rise up season after season.

Future generations are depending on our efforts.

Let me leave you with this thought: If the economy were to collapse and technology were to fail, the only culture unaffected will be the Amish. Farming and fellowship are the tapestry of their communities

Agriculture really does matter! Celebrate agriculture this week. It's for you. Call the Culpeper Farm Bureau office at 825-0682 and learn how you can support agriculture.
 
Doug Mayhugh is the president of the Culpeper County Farm Bureau.