03/20/08 Celebrating Ag Day

Celebrating National Ag Day. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. People in the Pacific Northwest have a chance to say thank you to the regions farmers and ranchers today, and maybe learn something about agriculture at the same time. It's National Agriculture Day and it's being celebrated across the nation. National Ag Day is designed to salute the more than two million agricultural operators in the U.S. as well as the thousands of farmers and ranchers in the NW. Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, says it's good to put a spotlight on the industry. COBA: From the perspective of agriculture, this is just a fascinating time for the industry in the U.S. We are seeing prices at an all-time high. We are seeing record exports and we are certainly seeing a lot of attention paid to food and where it comes from. Agriculture is directly and indirectly responsible for more than ten percent of Oregon's gross state product. Meanwhile, Coba credits American farmers and ranchers for producing more on less acreage. COBA: The year is now 2008 and farmers are as good as anyone at taking advantage of research, development, innovation, and technology. We see that turning up in results in terms of higher yields or product per acre. Despite that increase in production, there has been no real increase in use of pesticides. Coba says producers are very conscious about taking care of the environment, yet another reason for consumers to say thank you to farmers and ranchers during National Agriculture Week 2008. Coba says agricultural producers contribute a lot to the state's and nation's economy, but the industry plays a big role in protecting natural resources. COBA: So we're also seeing that consciousness of the farmer to the environment and the impact of production on the environment and realizing that if they are going to get the most out of their land, they have got to take care of their land. We are seeing it all throughout the U.S. and certainly in Oregon. Coba has a take home message for Oregon consumers during National Agriculture Week. COBA: Well, I always encourage consumers to buy local and when they are in their grocery store, to ask for local products. The next thing I would like consumers to do is take the chance to understand a little bit more about how agriculture works. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.