This article appears in the March 2021 issue of Sugar Producer.
Every March, we recognize the incredible contributions of America’s farmers and ranchers by celebrating National Ag Day. This year, National Ag Day falls on March 23, and we’ll certainly be raising a toast to the hard work of our sugar producers!
Importantly, National Ag Day represents an opportunity to share with others the many ways — large and small — America’s sugar growers and workers help contribute to a brighter future for us all.
Telling your story is a mission that we take very seriously on National Ag Day, and every day. Over the years, we’ve catalogued the stories of dozens of sugar farmers and workers through our #FacesOfSugarPolicy and #SugarSustainably campaigns. From farm to factory, these videos demonstrate the immense value of America’s no-cost sugar policy.
Why is telling sugar’s sweet story so important? Farmers make up just over 1 percent of the total population. That means most Americans are increasingly disconnected from the farm and ranch families who keep our grocery store shelves stocked with an abundant, affordable and safe supply of food.
“Consumers can no longer talk to farmers or ranchers about what they do, because they don’t know any,” Brad Griff, executive director of the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association, wrote in a recent op-ed.
Griff specifically encourages sugar growers to draw on their real-world experiences to craft compelling stories and add incredible value to conversations about sustainability. After all, Griff says, America’s farmers and ranchers are the “ultimate environmentalists.”
“Farmers and ranchers are already in a great position to engage in these conversations, because sustainability is ingrained in everything you do,” Griff writes. “Odds are your family has been in farming or ranching for generations. You make decisions with the hope of passing the land on to the next generation. You’re constantly thinking about how to improve efficiency, save water, reduce inputs, and improve the land.”
We know that America’s sugar industry is the global leader in sustainable sugar production. But with a slew of new faces on Capitol Hill that could soon be voting on policies that affect our industry, it’s a message that bears repeating, early and often.
Being good stewards of the environment and protecting our air, land and water is a personal mission for sugar growers. We’ve continually built upon our decades-long commitment to sustainability by investing in new research, technologies and techniques that boost our efficiency and protect our planet.
Off the farm, the sugar industry is proud to support good-paying jobs for a diverse workforce. Because our success is rooted in the strength of our people, we are proud to help pave the way for young farmers and invest in our local communities.
We’ve also reduced waste throughout the supply chain. All parts of the crop can be used to create beneficial co-products, from road de-icers to animal feed to electricity generation. Sugar co-products touch the lives of countless consumers.
And of course, America’s sugar growers and workers provide America with a reliable supply of high-quality sugar.
How has your farm worked to become more efficient? Have you seen the positive impact of sugar in your community? What do you love about being a sugar grower? We encourage you to share your sweet stories of sustainability by tagging us at @SugarAlliance on Facebook and Twitter.