It is no secret that Americans love their food, as we tend to make our food bigger, better and more unusual than many other cultures. Be it inspired meals but health conscious cooks, to those who throw all caution to the wind and eat like it’s their last meal every meal, food is an integral part of the culture. Each region has their own specialty, and without farmers, many of these delicious meals and tasty treats would not exist, nor would the people who enjoy them ever so much.
Farms provide to us not only final products, like fresh produce, meat, and eggs, but also play a major role in providing the milk for ice cream, growing the barley for beer, and the wheat for just about every bite of bread or crackers you have ever had. Here are some of the biggest roles hardworking farmers play in your everyday meals:
Dairy Farmers: Without dairy farmers, your meals would lack any derivative of milk such as yogurt, cheese, butter and ice cream. Not only is it a staple for these foods, milk is a major ingredient in many cakes, breads, sauces, dips and so much more. These food items are a major source of protein and calcium for many people, and are an important part of a healthy diet.
Some of the most common types of dairy farmers include, first and foremost, cow’s milk, but goat’s milk is rising in popularity as well, for delectable foods such as goat cheese, and even non-food items such as soaps and lotions.
Livestock Farmers: Carnivores have livestock farmers to thank for their daily supply of protein. While there are various types and sizes of farms, such as grass fed cattle who spend their days grazing in grassy green fields and free range chickens who have the life of a wild chicken, there are farms that mass produce meat in less than desirable living conditions. Regardless, the industry is huge and necessary either way, as our beef, pork, poultry such as chicken, turkey, and duck, and lamb or mutton meals all come from farmers. Eggs also come from farmers who have hens.
Many of these farmers also produce non food items, such as leather, fur, down, and wool to name a few, which help Americans stay warm in the winter, sleep comfortably at night, and ride around in luxury seats in their automobiles.
Produce Farmers: When it comes to produce and agriculture, farmers are responsible for fruits, vegetables and grains. Fruits in the United States are aplenty, and include berries, apples, oranges, grapes, and technically, tomatoes. Vegetables such as beets, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers and much more are grown around the country, dependent on weather patterns and the area. When it comes to grains, corn is one of the highest producers in the country, and is responsible for popcorn, cereals, tortillas, and so much more. Wheat, rice and barley are some of the other significant crops.
Farmers also produce soybeans, cottonseed, potatoes, nuts, and all sorts of items that are turned into oils, liquor and additions to shampoos, lotions, and many other everyday items that are often overlooked when thinking about farming. Tobacco is another crop of importance to those who need a little bit of a nicotine fix.
When it comes down to it, Americans have farmers to thank for a majority if their consumables and many of their daily necessities, even when they aren’t thinking about it. It’s a huge industry that keeps the economy breathing and keeps people fed and happy.
