Thank a Rancher; Thank a Farmer
By Cowgal Madeline
It’s the holidays, family and friends are arriving at your house with dishes of mashed potatoes, prime rib, pumpkin pie, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, turkey, pumpkin pie, sparkling cider, wine, champagne and more. Everyone is laughing, eating and having a great time. But do you know where that food came from and what it took to get it there?
The holiday season is here, which means food, family and giving thanks. Not only giving thanks for the things many of us are thankful for such as family, friends and a roof over our heads but thanking the backbone of America: Ranchers and Farmers. Without ranchers and farmers life would be quite different. Combined, they provide meat, clothing, grains, vegetables, bi products and more. We all know that our food comes from farmers and ranchers but do we know the sacrifices that they make?
Oftentimes farming and ranching is a family ordeal with one spouse working in town and the other running the ranch or farm. Calving, shipping, planting and harvest are just a few of the big events that go on each year for these families. Long days with little cow kids in tow are spent pulling calves in below zero temperatures and hot days are spent branding with friends. Endless days are spent planting and harvesting with very little rest to get the seed planted and crop harvested in the ideal time frame. These families work day and night without much of a break to deliver your meals.
I grew up ranching and my relatives also farmed. Holidays for us were different than most. We eagerly awaited the big meals and gatherings while feeding and checking cattle before leaving. If needed, we doctored the sick ones and helped friends that needed it. It was rare that we left town for a holiday. We spent very few holidays with our families because we couldn’t leave our stock. Many Thanksgivings were spent with close ranch friends of ours. They were more family than friends. Christmas was the same. We ate, talked about the cattle market, our endless lists of projects, school, hunting, played games and our black Friday strategies. I wouldn’t trade my life for a thing but I do want people to know what it takes to get the food onto their tables.
Just about every holiday, every birthday, nearly every day of my life producing a food product. This has been from cow calf operations to stocker cattle, haying, butchery, outreach and the list goes on. Did you know that most of your green beans for your green bean casserole come from Wisconsin? Or that most of your cheese for your mac n’ cheese comes from California? Were you aware that your turkey might have come from Minnesota? What about your potatoes from Idaho, prime rib from Texas, pumpkins for pumpkin pie from Illinois, Wine and Champagne from California? Those are all families, all individuals producing your food. With nearly 96% of farms being family owned and 97% of ranches being family owned, remember who is creating your food. It’s not a factory, not a machine. It’s an individual.