Where would America be without our sugar farmers?

By KLODETTE STROH

Park and Big Horn County
WIFE president and
WIFE national sugar chair

Sugarbeet crops are looking very good in my hometown of Powell (Wyoming). Park County is the leading county in production of sugar beet, barley, dry eatable beans and 6th for oats grain, corn grain among the 23 counties in the state of Wyoming.

According to Wyoming agriculture statistics, the value of the ag sector output in Wyoming annually exceeds over one billion dollars with cash income historically around $900 million.

There are 34.4 million acres of farms and ranches in Wyoming, which provide over 17000 jobs. Agriculture plays a vital role in Wyoming's economy.

Hay is by far the leading crop in Wyoming in term of value of production totaling $161.6 million as stated in the 2005 agriculture report.

Sugarbeets had the next highest crop value in 2005 at $33.4 million, followed by barley at $18.4 million, corn at $16.8 million, wheat at $15.4 million and dry beans at $15.1 million.

According to the Wyoming agriculture report in terms of cash receipts, hay and sugarbeet are usually close contenders for the leading crop followed by barley.

During my visits to Washington D.C., as the WIFE national sugar chairman to represent our nation's sugarbeet, cane and corn sweetener farmers, I often had the chance to talk about my beloved state of Wyoming to the other state senators and representatives.

They were always so surprised with all the agriculture activity in Wyoming. It has been an honor for me to educate many people about the agriculture economic benefits in Wyoming.

Water has played an important role in Wyoming agriculture.

Park County is filled with lush green fields of crops because of the water supply in Buffalo Bill Dam reservoir. Buffalo Bill (Shoshone dam) and Pathfinder dam were one of the first reclamation dams built in Wyoming around 1910-1911.

Buffalo Bill Dam has over 97,000 acres of irrigated land and over 20,000 acres of the total 27,000 acres of sugarbeets grown in the state are grown in Park County.

Total income from crops included alfalfa, barley, oats, corn grain, dry beans and sugarbeets exceed 100 million dollars annually.

Nationwide, the state of Wyoming ranks number one in average size of farms and ranches, number two in wool, number four in pinto beans, number six in barley, and number eight in sugar beets.

Wyoming sugarbeet farmers provide 4,571 jobs in Wyoming and in a larger scale they are a portion of the 146,000 jobs provided nationwide that rely on a strong U.S. sweetener industry.

The economic impact of the sugar industry is $10 billion a year of the American economy.

Sugar policy operates at no cost to the taxpayers. There is no subsidy check issued for sugarbeet and cane farmers in this country. The program gives authority to regulate the import quota to the Secretary of Agriculture.

The farm family was the basic unit shaping life in America.

For over 200 years, agriculture has changed the countryside while providing rural strength. Farmers are the backbone of this country and as taxpayers in this country, we have to protect our farming industry.

American farmers provide food for America and half of the world.

Without commodities what would we trade, how would we put sanctions on countries like North Korea in order to secure world peace, and how would we be able to feed the hungry of the world or those stricken by natural disasters?

Without farmers, who will feed our troops at home and those fighting abroad to protect our precious freedom?

Without farmers who will provide the food programs for those who are experiencing tough times, and what will happen to all the food programs we have in place for our schools, child care centers and senior program?

Indeed, farmers provide so many benefits for all of us and I can't imagine world without them.

Next time you see a farmer let him know you are supporting his hard work and give him a word of encouragement for working from dawn to dusk to ensure America's superior global position.

There is worldwide economic commotion.

We should support American farmers, as they are founders of our nation.

source: theprairiestar