National AG Week Highlights Utah’s Farms
Mar 24, 2021, 7:56 AM | Updated: 7:58 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah was founded in the 1800s by pioneers who knew how to farm, and the 20th century saw advances in farm and ranch technology.
So where does the role of those in agriculture fit into the new millennium? That’s a good question for National Ag Week.
“Helping them to transition to new practices that might be more efficient, helping them to find new markets, those are some of the things we’re trying to focus on as a department,” said Craig Buttars, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food.
He visited McFarland Family Farms in Weber County where they have been planting on the land for six generations. It’s one of nearly 18,000 farms and ranches that represent a long-lasting legacy in the Beehive State.
From drought to ever-increasing development on what he called the most fertile land in Utah, Buttars knows those in agriculture need all the hlep they can get to keep the local food filling up our fridges.
“I think we’ll see different political environments,” he said. “We’ll see changes as far as climate and things that are going to make our local farmers even more important.”
From cattle, sheep and hots to the crops of pumpkins, onions and more, the McFarlands will make it if the state’s priorities push agriculture forward without sacrificing what’s in the ground for the ground itself.
National Ag Week is a great time to remember that the food has to come for somewhere, and it’s important to look local.
