To
day, I'd like to share some agricultural statistics with you. Some are startling, others a bit depressing, while others provide a glimmer of hope for the future. I've even included a few to make you smile.
Globally, nearly 3 trillion pounds of food is wasted each year. Some of this is due to inadequate storage for food products, but much of it is simply waste. How many of us have put left-overs in the refrigerator and promptly forgot about them, only to be reminded weeks later due to an unpleasant odor? Even worse, pounds and pounds of food are thrown away simply because they're bruised and battered, but still perfectly good.
In U.S. schools, more than 40% of school lunches are thrown away daily. In fact, both Cornell and Brigham Young universities took a closer look at this issue and determined that approximately $4 million worth of food is wasted each day in schools across the U.S.
More than 4.7 million farms have disappeared across the rural landscape of America since 1935. That averages out to 157 farms a day!
Currently, more than 40% of U.S. farmers are aged 65 or older. That's why this next statistic is so important.
The number of people under the age of 35 entering the farming/ranching profession increased 10% between 2007 and 2012. Hopefully we'll see another increase in the next agricultural census, which is taking place this year.
There is a National Ag Day, which is designed to pay tribute to all of those involved in producing the food the helps to feed us all. In case you're wondering; National Ag Day is March 21, annually.
And now, just a few statistics to make you smile:
Duck feathers are waterproof.
A cow will produce more milk if she's listening to music.
Goats are very skilled swimmers.
A pig can run a seven-minute mile.
Happy Friday!
Holistic Farm/Ranch Training
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