A canal flows between two expansive, lush green farmlands. Transitioning to a man picking leafy vegetables in a grocery store, then to an image of a tomato plant.
Why is Agriculture so important to us? Simply put, without it, we would not have food to eat, or clothes to wear, or much of the fuel for our activities. Agriculture affects so many things it is hard to imagine a world without it.
Neatly stacked bottles and packets of packaged food in a grocery store transition to the processing of carrots inside a facility.
Even if you don’t own a farm, you still need food for your family. Think about it: Food in a grocery store has to come from somewhere! No matter what food you buy, it once came from a farm. And, if that food has been processed, even just cleaned, then agriculture has provided jobs.
Images feature wool and cotton clothes.
Many clothes are made from materials that once came from a farm. Wool, cotton, flax, and other materials are grown from livestock or crops and are used to make the items you wear every day.
A cotton crop field is shown.
And, unlike nylon or other synthetics, they are 100% renewable. This means that it naturally replenishes itself.
A man and a woman work inside a plant nursery while engaging in conversation.
The agricultural industry provides over 22 million jobs in the United States and contributes over $1 trillion dollars to our economy. The agricultural industry is large… and it has to be… in order to keep up with the United States’ needs for food, fiber, and fuel.
An image of a crop transitions to livestock eating the crops.
Another way agriculture helps us is with our health. Crops grown specifically to feed livestock, like alfalfa, have the nutrients needed to keep them healthy.
The slide "Medicinal Plants" shows images of Alfalfa, Ginger, Green Tea, and Aloe, transitioning to vegetables in a market.
Alfalfa and other crops are also grown so they can be used to make medicines for things like nausea, kidney stones, and burn relief. Farmers also grow fruits and vegetables that are important for a healthy diet in humans.
An animated illustration depicts a plate, fork, and bowl, with portions of fruits, grains, vegetables, protein, and dairy distributed to different sections.
The USDA’s healthy plate recommends half of your daily food intake be of whole fruits and vegetables.
Images show a gas station pump.
Agriculture can also provide energy! You may have seen the word “ethanol” on pumps in gas stations. Ethanol is an oil used in gasoline that originally came from corn. Ethanol is a good source of energy because it is considered “renewable.”
A series of ethanol crop images.
Farmers can grow new corn crops for ethanol each year. These types of energy sources improve public health, reduce emissions, provide jobs and are more efficient than other sources of energy.
Images depict livestock alongside humans.
Agriculture also provides many benefits to communities. Communities host events such as livestock competitions and 4H and FFA judging at county fairs.
An elderly lady selects items at a farmer’s market, people passing by, transitioning to a man holding a vegetable basket.
Farmers’ markets are another way small farmers affect the community. At a farmers’ market, people can buy many items directly from the people who produce the goods. Or, consider Community Supported Agriculture, where people join together to obtain healthy, fresh foods on a weekly basis.
A man plucks berries, transitioning to a boy doing pottery, and then to families spending quality time together.
Agriculture is also important because it has allowed humans to do things other than just search for food. For instance, instead of taking a lot of time each day to hunt animals and gather vegetables for their families to eat, people now have time to develop tools, create art, attend school, go to amusement parks, and even watch TV. Imagine how different your life would be if you or your family had to spend 3-4 hours each day in search of food and clothing!
Footage of freshly harvested vegetables. A kitchen serves food to its customers.
Finally, simply having access to enough food to eat will have a tremendously positive impact on the world. While agriculture cannot solve all food issues, having an available, safe, nutritious food supply is the first step in solving the problems of food insecurity. People live healthier and more productive lives when they have good food to eat.
A family of four stands before a serene setting sun. The father carries a small boy who points at the sun, with the parents following suit.
In all of these ways, agriculture is important to you, your family, and the world. American agriculture does, in fact, feed, clothe, and fuel the world.