Agriculture is More Than Food

When someone mentions the word “agriculture,” what is the first thing that comes to mind?  For some, it may be farming and food production.  And although a large portion of agriculture goes towards feeding the nation, that is not the only industry that agriculture contributes to.  Unfortunately, the other industries are often overlooked in terms of agriculture.

Products we use (not eat) everyday come from plant and animal byproducts produced by America’s farmers and ranchers.  Here are a few examples of these products being used in other industries, besides food:

• Manufacturing – adhesives, lubricants, solvents, detergents, polymers
• Construction – lumber, paints, brushes, tar paper, drywall, tool handles, particle board
• Health Care – pharmaceuticals, surgical sutures, ointments, latex gloves, x-ray film
• Personal Care Products – shampoo, soap, cosmetics, lotions, fingernail polish, toothpaste
• Transportation – biofuels including ethanol and biodiesel, lubricants, antifreeze, tires, upholstery, packing materials
• Sports – uniforms, baseball bats, leather equipment and balls, shoes
• Printing – paper, ink
• Education – crayons, textbooks, chalk, desks, pencils, paper
• Entertainment – strings for musical instruments

Did you know that agriculture contributed to all of these products within the listed industries?  As agriculturalists, it’s important for us to inform the public that agriculture is important for our food supply, and the functionality of our careers and everyday lives.