Celebrating Ag on the Fourth of July 

We're celebrating America's 239th birthday today with hot dogs, fireworks and fun times with family and friends. Let's take a moment to reflect on  the role of U.S. farmers in maintaining America's independence.

• An excellent USDA blog informs us that July is also the month for another important birthday in America—passage of the Morrill Act on July 2, 1862, which established the land-grant university system, ensuring access to education for all people. One hundred and fifty-three years later after Justin Smith Morrill (pictured to the right) sponsored this landmark legislation as a Vermont senator, this tradition continues across America through the network of 112 land-grant universities. These universities collectively educate the next generation of agricultural professionals and scientists and are helping find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.

• We certainly need to thank our veterans, past and present, on July 4th. We applaud efforts to help veterans establish careers in agriculture like the one in Arkansas. Arkansas military veterans who farm will be able to affix a “Homegrown by Heroes” label to their produce under a new program announced Thursday by the state Agriculture Department and the state Department of Veterans Affairs, according to the Times Record.

• Much like the Southern Great Plains experienced more than 80 years ago, agriculture is facing significant challenges in the future such as population growth and diminishing water supplies. Newsok.com reports on AGree, a long-term initiative founded to drive positive change in the food and agriculture system.

• There's no question that technology will play a key role in meeting these challenges - a key discussion point at Agribusiness Day 2015, according to thedailynewsonline.com. A key example of how technology is driving agricultural innovation is the increased flexion (IF) tires developed by us. They increase efficiency in the fields and help minimize the impact of soil compaction.

• An important role of an exhibit that just opened at the Smithsonian is to showcase agricultural innovation, according to fb.org. This 8,000-square-foot American Enterprise exhibit will hopefully inspire young people to pursue careers in agriculture.

• Women have played a key role in U.S. farming in the past and will be even more important to our industry's future. That was the message six New Hampshire agricultural leaders – all women – recently shared with U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster and United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, according to the Concord Monitor.

From all of us, we wish you a happy and safe July 4th holiday!