As Americans gather for Thanksgiving, I’d guess very few talk about the economic contributions behind their food table. If there’s any such discussion, it’s likely how the average cost of this holiday meal has risen more than $5 this year.  However, what’s just as important is the cornerstone that agriculture provides for our economy. While only 1.5% of our population farms, the agrifood system in total is nearly 20% of the economy.  Agriculture and supporting systems have been one of the few economic bright spots in the last couple of years with employment being consistently available, though few recognize it as a cornerstone.

Take a pause in your day to consider the myriad of people working across agriculture, food, natural resources and related businesses. There are some great people and they’re providing a necessity. In a day to give #Foodthanks, please consider how you can include them in your gratitude. And feel free to add to the list!

Agricultural Communications, Economics & Education

• Farm News Reporter
• Public Relations
• Extension Specialist
• Agricultural Advertising Specialist
• Trade Association Representative
• Grain Merchandiser
• Grain Broker
• Professional Farm Manager
• Farm & Land Appraiser
• Ag Statistician
• Food Distribution Manager
• Commodity Broker
• Tax Consultant
• Insurance Agent
• Commodity Merchandiser
• Agriculture Education Teacher
• Cooperative Extension Advisor
• Soil Conservationist
• Loan Officer

Agricultural Engineering

• Food Engineer
• Machine Design Engineer
• Irrigation Engineer
• Sanitary/Waste Handling Engineer
• Plant Supervisor
• Nutrient Management
• Welder

Agronomy/Soils

• Agronomist
• Farm Manager
• Crop Specialist
• Weed Scientist
• Soil Scientist
• Plant Breeder
• Plant Geneticist
• Environmental Specialist
• Soil Surveyor
• Crop Production Analyst
• Land Use Specialist

Farmers & Ranchers

• Dairy
• Corn
• Soybean
• Wheat
• Grape
• Cotton
• Almonds
• Sunflower
• Popcorn
• Pumpkin
• Poultry
• Fruit & Vegetable
• Christmas Tree
• Hog
• Beef Cattle
• Goat
• Sheep
• Fish
• Hay
• Rice
• Sugar Cane
• Alfalfa
• Barley
• Hops
• Potato
• Cranberry
• Mushroom
• Peanut
• Pecan

Animal Sciences

• Livestock Production Manager
• Animal Health Product Sales
• Livestock Procurement
• A.I. Breeding Technician
• Livestock Feedlot Operator
• Research or Lab Technician
• Public Relations Specialist
• Livestock Marketing Specialist
• Housing & Environmental Quality Specialist
• Animal Scientist
• Veterinarian
• Animal Nutritionist
• Bison Rancher

Horticulture

• Greenhouse Manager
• Floral Crop Growers
• Floral Crop Marketer
• Floral Designer
• Floral Shop Manager
• Seed and Bulb Sales
• Nursery Manager
• Plant Propagator
• Nursery Sales Representative
• Nursery Inspector
• Landscape Contractor
• Landscape Designer
• Garden Center Manager
• Arborist
• Urban Horticulturist
• Park Horticulturist
• Park Manager
• Golf Course Superintendent
• Home and Commercial Lawncare
• Care Manager
• Sod Grower
• Fruit and Vegetable Grower
• Quality Control Specialist
• Researcher
• Extension Specialist
• Plant Breeder
• Gardener
• Retail and Wholesale Sales
• Fertilizer Sales Representative

There are more than one hundred here and even more on Food & Nutrition at “How many hands are behind your food plate?”. There are over 200 careers in the agrifood system – imagine what would happen if each person involved might stop and offer an explanation of what they do.