February 6, 2008 is Food CheckOut Day â€" what does that mean? Thanks to the efficiency of America's farmers and ranchers, it takes the average American just 5 weeks, or 37 days, to earn enough disposable income to pay for his or her food supply for the entire year â€" and that's what February 6, 2008 is.

The idea for Food CheckOut Day was developed by the American Farm Bureau Women's Committee and was first observed in 1998. Because Agriculture is the number one industry in Genesee County, I thought I would take this opportunity to share some ag information.

More than 24 million American workers -- representing 17 percent of the total U.S. workforce -- produce, process, sell and trade the nation's food and fiber. However, only 4.6 million of those people live on farms, which is slightly less than 2 percent of the total U.S. population.

There are 2.13 million farms dotting America's rural landscape. Today, 98 percent of U.S. farms are operated by individuals, family partnerships or family corporations.

Americans enjoy an abundant and affordable food supply that is among the safest in the world, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America's farm and ranch families.

During the 2006 fiscal year, nearly $69 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world. The United States sells more food and fiber to world markets than we import, creating a positive agricultural trade balance.

Thanks to modern farming techniques, such as biotechnology, global positioning satellites and conservation tillage, America's farmers and ranchers are producing more food on fewer acres with fewer inputs.

Farmers and ranchers receive only 19 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home. The rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate: wages and materials for production, processing, marketing, transportation and distribution. In 1980, farmers and ranchers received 31 cents.

U.S. farm programs historically cost each American just pennies per meal and account for just one-half of 1 percent of the total U.S. budget.

Ethanol and biodiesel fuels made from corn, soybeans and other crops are beneficial to the environment and promote energy security.

America's farmers and ranchers are true professionals by bringing a variety of educational experiences to their agriculture businesses. For example, most farmers and ranchers are trained and certified in the use of agricultural chemicals.

Technology is increasingly used on today's farms and ranches. USDA statistics show that 50 percent of U.S. farms have Internet access. A survey of young farmers and ranchers shows that 90 percent use a computer and 87 percent have Internet access.

Happy Food CheckOut Day! Think about this the next time you buy your food - and where it really comes from. And thank your local farmers, growers, producers, workers.

Beverly L. Mancuso
Executive Director
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County