With Ag Awareness Week, March 13 - 19, have you ever wondered where the food, fiber and renewable resources that we enjoy each day come from?
One of the most important natural resources on the earth's surface is soil. Many living things depend on it as a source of food, either directly or indirectly. Our food-producing land decreases daily and yet the world's population continues to grow.
To compare with the earth, use an apple or picture along with me by cutting that apple into four equal parts. Three parts represent the oceans of the world. The fourth part represents the land area.
Put aside the three parts, and consider the one-quarter which represents the land. Cut the land section in half lengthwise. One section represents land such as deserts, swamps, and Arctic and mountain regions. The other one-eighth section represents land where man can live and may be able to grow food.
Slice this one-eighth section into four equal parts lengthwise. Three of these sections represent the area of the world which are too rocky, too wet, too hot, or where soils are too poor for production, as well as areas inhabited and developed by man. This last one-thirty-second section represents what is left to grow crops. Remember that the soil is only on the outer surface of the earth - so carefully peel the last one-thirty-second section. This small bit of peeling represents the soil of our earth on which mankind depends for food production.
Land suitable for growing food is precious. No farms, no food. We are very lucky in Kosciusko County to be a big part of that food production. Thank a farmer.
