Monday, April 29, 2024
Gatesville resident Jonathan Ford has a strong appreciation for the contributions of farmers and ranchers, and during a recent meeting of the Gatesville Lions Club, he talked about their importance and asked for input from two local farmers.
National Farm Day is celebrated each year in October, but the impact that agricultural producers have on our lives is experienced every day, Ford said.
A local real estate agent, Ford said his own limited background with agriculture began when he was a student in Moody participating in Future Farmers of America, and continued when he helped his grandson with the necessary materials for raising rabbits for 4-H.
He said National Farm Day (which was Oct. 12) "was created so we as a nation would acknowledge the hard work farmers and ranchers do in feeding and supplying our nation with the materials it needs to succeed."
Ford invited local farmers David and Sharon Westerfeld and Bob and Becky Phillips to the program, and asked for their comments later in the presentation.
"I thank them and others involved in farming and ranching for their lifelong contributions to the land, raising crops and livestock," Ford said. "Every time we take a bite to eat, we should be thankful for those men and women who are farmers.
"Only 2% of our population is involved in farming, yet their contributions are way beyond that 2%. They are also responsible for 22.2 million jobs (including those who serve the ag industry)."
Ford said he encourages people "to support our local farmers and producers by buying locally produced goods that are farm fresh."
He asked Bob Phillips and David Westerfeld what it means for them to be farmers.
"I guess I would understand why just 2% do this kind of hard work," Phillips said. "You're out in the environment – hot or cold – and on call 24 hours. It can be for very low pay. You do continue to do it whether you have a year of prosperity or not. This year I'm not sure if we'll show a profit. It can be not profitable at times. I'm hoping next year will be better.
"There's a calling on you (to be a farmer)."
Phillips said he got his start in agriculture by helping relatives with their crops. He added that farmers often operate on a thin margin without room for extras.
"You can tell by my fingers we do our own mechanical work," he said. "If we can't fix it ourselves, we just have to throw it away. We enjoy getting out on the land and we like to hunt and fish, as well.
"It brings joy to your heart when things are well."
Phillips said his family farms about 200 acres.
Westerfeld farms with a group that works about 9,000 acres of property in the eastern part of the county near Oglesby.
"I am very blessed to be a rancher or a farmer," he said. "I started working when I was 2 or 3, so I've been working on a farm for about 55 years now. "My dad turned over the land to us when we were in high school, although he still helped us.
"I've enjoyed it all my life, through hard times and better times. I am blessed to work on a farm with my family."
