During harvest season, it’s important to celebrate those who are driving the combine from morning to dusk, who stop only to grab a quick meal from a loved one, and who are working long, dedicated hours to do one of the most important jobs in the world. That’s why the Nebraska Corn Board is proud to celebrate National Farmer’s Day today, October 12, 2022.

Most people can think of a farmer in their lives: a father, a mother, a neighbor, or themselves. Only 2% of the population work to feed the world, meaning all farmers have an important task at hand. One U.S. farm feeds 166 people annually, in the U.S. and abroad. There are two million of these farms spread across the country. In these operations, women make up 43% of the total number of U.S. farm operators according to the USDA.

As many can attest to, farming is much more than a job, it’s a lifestyle. In America, 97% of farms are family farms meaning they’re family-owned but most importantly family-operated. While there’s history in those acres and operations, farming has transitioned greatly. The total U.S. corn yield has increased more than 360% since the 1950’s. Today farmer’s use technology to efficiently use the resources of their land while producing more and more each year. This is evident by the increase in bushels harvested from 191.1 million bushels in the 1900’s to 1.79 billion bushels today.

“We are pleased to celebrate and thank Nebraska farmers not only today but every day,” says Kelly Brunkhorst, Executive Director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “With agriculture as the number one industry in the state of Nebraska, we pride ourselves in our farmers’ work ethic, determination, and passion for what they do.”

Next time you sit down for family dinner or wander through the aisles of a grocery store, thank a farmer. They deserve it.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of ½-cent-per-bushelcheckoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities.