Secretary Vilsack Salutes America's Farmers

Secretary Vilsack Salutes America’s Farmers

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

Many of us are enjoying a federal holiday today, Labor Day. Labor Day pays tribute to the economic and social contributions and achievements of American workers. Many farmers and ag producers however are not taking a holiday, as they will be working hard today busy with different types of harvests in the Pacific Northwest -- be it wheat, pulses or tree fruit. One in 12 jobs in America are supported by agriculture.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack gives homage to ag producers and others involved in agriculture.

Vilsack: “As we gather with family and friends to mark Labor Day, it couldn’t be a more appropriate time to say thank you to the folks who provide the most affordable, most abundant and safest food supply on earth. It takes hard work to plant seeds, to care for crops and raise livestock. It takes hard work to harvest our food. It takes hard to work process it, package it, transport it, shelve it and sell it. Every day, our farmers, farm workers and people all along the supply chain get these jobs done well. Their commitment benefits all of us.”

He also urges Congress to move on the Farm Bill in midst of the nation’s devastating drought.

Vilsack: “Meanwhile we need Congress to pass the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible to give more certainty to producers during this difficult time.”

Oregon was the first state to celebrate Labor Day in 1887.

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.