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I’m a huge Yellowstone fan … the place, and the TV drama series. My husband believes it’s only because of Rip, and most of you ladies probably understand the rugged cowboy is definitely a bonus feature, however, what I truly love about the show is the storyline. I guess I shouldn’t say I love the storyline; the storyline actually breaks my heart, but I love that the show portrays many of the struggles those of us feel every day. Sure, we all wish we had the money and resources the Duttons have, but none of us can say that we don’t feel the pressures they do to preserve our farm and ranchlands and our family’s legacy. Most can’t think of a world where they are anything but a farmer.

We also love Taylor Sheridan’s spin-offs, 1983 and recently 1923. In the last episode we watched, rancher Jacob Dutton go to the bank to take out a loan to purchase hay to feed his herd for the winter. The summer months were rough and they weren’t able to make enough hay for the cattle to survive the brutal Montana winter. The bank turned him away even though he had paid off all of his prior loans because waiting for the rancher to sell his cattle in the fall was “too risky.” In the meantime, a wealthy and ruthless land developer is threatening the Duttons and backing them into a corner to ensure he owns the entire valley, including the Yellowstone Ranch. Meanwhile, there were also rancher vs. rancher feuds, and as I sat watching one way of life fading away (ranching and living by horseback being replaced with automobiles), I thought about what we stand to lose by simply burying one way of life for a new one and not caring at all about the consequences of our actions on others’ lives.

Now I realize this is a TV drama meant to draw in millions of viewers, but you can’t help but know that much of what was playing out on the screen in front of me was likely the struggles of the farmers and ranchers before us. Why is it so hard for the one industry we cannot survive without to flourish? Why does society push and fight against a way of life that is vital to the survival of the human race? Agriculture not only clothes and feeds the WORLD, but according to USDA, agriculture, food and related industries, contributed roughly $1.2 trillion to U.S. gross domestic product in 2021. Here in Ohio food and agriculture is the No. 1 industry and the industry employs 1 in 8 people. If there ever was something to fight for, and not against, it should be the food and agriculture industry.

One U.S. farm feeds 166 people annually in the U.S. and abroad. The global population is expected to increase by 2.2 billion by 2050, which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 70% more food than what is now produced (American Farm Bureau).

So how do we (farmers, consumers, businesses, government, humans) ensure we have enough farmers and ranchers, and even more important, enough land to feed the world’s population? We support them, we fight for them, and not against them. Purchasing food is the easiest step. Buy local, but also remember it takes farmers everywhere to produce food. So whether you buy from a farmer down the road, or you buy from Kroger, you are still supporting agriculture. Be informed. Being informed isn’t just Googling and believing the first result that pops up on your screen. Visit with farmers, attend workshops and markets, and follow AGvocates, and organizations that work with food and agriculture industries. Most importantly, be an advocate and use your voice to make a difference.

Farm Bureau gives you a platform to become involved, to be informed, and to make a difference. Whether you are a farmer or someone who believes in our mission of advancing agriculture and strengthening our communities, there is a place for you. Help us ensure the future of agriculture is strong.

Farm Bureau was started over 100 years ago by farmers and ranchers just like the Duttons. They were trying to find solutions to the issues that they were facing, and we (farm Bureau) are still fighting the good fight to protect our land, our food and our lives.

Join today or call the county office at 440-426-2195.

Submitted by Mandy Orahood, an organization director for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, serving Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Trumbull Counties.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.