Learn about Agriculture

This page is devoted to information about the importance of agriculture in our lives. If you are aware of information that advances this goal, please contact our web page author at: agriculture@utah.gov.

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"When tillage begins, other arts follow.
The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization."
Daniel Webster

"Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control the people."
Henry Kissinger: 1970

Questions of the Week:
(click here to see the answers)

a. Who owns 98% of America's farms? Families, government agencies, grocers, or world investors?
b. Who "preserves" our food supply by assuring its flavor, color; texture, quality and safety? Agronomist, plant physiologist, food scientist?
c. Which state is in the top rankings for the production of cotton?
d. A person who studies the physical, chemical and biological functions of living plants is a _______? Florist, botanist, plant physiologist?
e. Pulp used to make paper is a byproduct of what forest crop?

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Learn about honeybees.

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A group of Salt Lake City 4th graders visited a Davis County farm to learn about food safety. Click on the button to watch a short video. What's up with this donkey?
A well known Davis County farmer talks to school children about the careful use of pesticides on the farm. See the video.

 

 

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Utah's beef, pork, turkey, egg, and sheep industries demonstrated their latest nutritious and low cost recipes to Salt Lake area food editors during National Agriculture Week, March 15 - 21. The cooking demonstration was intended to remind Wasatch Front residents about the benefits of locally grown foods, like those participating in the Utah's Own Program. See the four-minute video of the cooking demonstration.

See local news coverage of cooking demonstration.

 

Agriculture Statistics

How big - How many - How much -- Everything you could ever want to know about Utah agriculture statistics.

 

Links of Interest

A rebuttal to: Not all eggs are created equal. (7/23/09) The Utah egg industry points out that there are advantages and disadvantages to free range and confined methods of raising chickens, but the preponderance of current evidence tilts in favor of properly maintained caged systems for both animal welfare and for both consumer as well as producer economics. Read industry comments.
Several examples of why agriculture is important to us. I love farming.org
Getting Ready for National Agriculture Day 2010 National Agriculture Day March 20, 2010 National Agriculture Week March 14 - 20, 2010
U.S. Department of Agriculture Education and Outreach See a variety of useful and interesting education programs geared for both urban and rural citizens.
The Mission of Utah Agriculture in the Classroom: To improve agricultural literacy by developing programs that increase student awareness about agriculture and instill in students an appreciation for our food and fiber system.
Take a moment to appreciate American farmers Play the video
Farmers Can Feed the World (Wall Street Journal) Better seeds and fertilizers, not romantic myths, will let them do it.
Farmers and Ranchers Can Prosper Under Clean Energy Climate Change Legislation - New USDA Analysis Shows an Economic Benefit.
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is a positive and informed voice communicating reliable, science-based information on key agricultural topics ranging from animal welfare to biotechnology to environmental impacts.
Nutritional quality of organic foods: a systematic review. This article states there is no evidence of a difference in nutrient quality between organically and conventionally produced foods. Organic Consumers Association responds to Orgnic Nutrition Study
Supporting Local Food and Farms (ways to get involved - ways to save farms)