CLAY COUNTY-National Ag Day will be celebrated here locally and across the United States on Tuesday, March 18 to recognize the people behind the country’s most important industry.

“Farmers are down to less than 2% of the population now and it is just so virtually important that we can bring a little bit of attention to agriculture and where people’s food comes from,” new Clay County Farm Bureau president Reyes Rich said.  “We are less than 2% of the population, but we are still feeding 100%.

“So it is important to bring some attention to farmers and just appreciate them for what they do.”

Farmers will be celebrated throughout the week, but especially on National Ag Day, when everyone is encouraged to thank a farmer.

“American agriculture is the foundation of our country,” a news release about the celebration said.  “It’s the backbone of a healthy and prosperous nation, made possible by the hard work of America’s farms and farm families.

“These individuals have been essential since the very beginning, and just like everyone, the past few years have presented many challenges, but thankfully, farmers have continued steadfastly toward ensuring we have food on our tables and clothes on our backs,” the release continued.  “That’s why, this year especially, National Ag Day is celebrated as a chance to honor those who deserve to be praised every day for what they do.”

Rich explained Clay County farms produce about $45 million worth of products annually and the most recent census of agriculture identified a total of 364 local farms.

“We rank 10th in the state for poultry and eggs alone,” Rich said, “but the total also includes livestock, forestry, grain crops—everything.”

He said timber sales “would be huge” here and also explained aquaculture, due to the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery, ranks #3 in the state.

“That is all considered in that gross figure,” Rich said.

Elected last December, Rich succeeded Jeff Clements as the local Farm Bureau president, and he explained the organization serves “as the voice of local agriculture” and advocates, preserves, and protects the industry here.

“Jeff did a super job and I can’t say enough good things about him,” Rich said of his predecessor.  “We’ve got a good group here in Clay County with a mix of older and younger folks on the board.

“We hear compliments about that when we go to meetings.  It is an honor to serve as president and it’s very humbling, too.”

Rich and Farm Bureau will be recognizing farmers throughout week with social media campaigns thanking them and bringing awareness to their contributions.

He invites the public to follow suit with thanking farmers any way they can.

“It’s important,” he said.  “Here in the United States we have one of the cheapest and safest food supplies anywhere in the world, so just trying to bring a little attention and appreciation to that means a lot.”

For more information about National Ag Day, visit tnfarmbureau.org/nationalagday.