For this food, we are thankful to Ga. farmers

For

this food, we are thankful to Ga. farmers

Americans have much

to be thankful for. One of the biggest blessings of

living in this country - America's safe, abundant

food supply - will be the center of attention this

week as Americans sit down with their families to tables

loaded with food to celebrate Thanksgiving. Farm-City

Week, an annual event to promote better understanding

between farm and city residents, is being celebrated

across the United States from Nov. 19 through

Thanksgiving Day.

What better

time to think about agriculture and Georgia's farmers

than at Thanksgiving when we gather around the table with

our families. Farm-City Week is a chance for farmers and

consumers to celebrate the partnership we share. Farmers

depend on consumers to purchase the crops they produce

and consumers depend on farmers to provide an abundant

and safe food supply.

Agriculture

is one of the largest employers in Georgia. One in every

seven Georgians works in agriculture, forestry or a

related sector. The aggregate value of Georgia

agricultural and forestry products is more than $7

billion annually. The food and fiber sectors together

contribute about $57 billion to the state's $353 billion

economic output. Georgia leads the nation in producing

broilers, pecans, peanuts and softwood fiber.

Georgia

farm and timber landowners provide environmental benefits

to the state, preserving natural habitats for native

plants and animals. However, the adverse weather

conditions of the past three years and low commodity

prices are driving many farmers out of business.

In 1945,

Georgia was more than 63 percent farmland. Today, only 28

percent is in farms. A continued loss of farmers not only

threatens the economic stability of rural communities but

also puts farmland at risk for urban development,

threatening the environmental stability of wildlife

habitats.

As you

count the blessings the past year has brought, remember

to add Georgia's farmers to your list. They have proudly

labored all year to produce food to feed not just their

families but also the rest of the world. As consumers, we

owe them much than they are paid for battling mother

nature, government bureaucracy and declining prices.

-

Wayne Dollar, Georgia Farm Bureau president.

[Georgia

Farm Bureau is the state's largest general farm

organization with more than 316,000 member-families

statewide.]

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