Have you thanked a farmer today?

Friday is a good day to thank a farmer.

October 12th is officially named Farmer’s Day across the country.​​

Idaho, being among the top agricultural producers in the United States, it’s a day to appreciate our farming communities.

National Farmer’s day was set for October 12th because it is after the traditional harvest times of many crops. That way, farmers would be able to join all of the festivities.

Idaho is ranked fourth in the nation for farming GDP. However, Sean Ellis, Idaho Farm Bureau Spokesperson, says Idaho surpasses the entire nation in farming on a capital income bases.

“On a capital income basis. So how much farm revenue each state generates so you divide it by the population… Idaho tops. There’s no one even close. So, agriculture is critical to the state’s economy.”

With the state’s economy so dependent on the agricultural industry, the push for innovative and technological is apparent; especially with a new generation of farmers entering into the industry.

“The young farmers are more intuned with it [technology]. So as much as the older farmers have been using technology for years, the newer generation will use it even more so.”

Greg Anderson, Manager of Seagull Bay Dairy in American Falls in optimistic for the future in Idaho. “The way technology is involved in agriculture, I mean computer programing, robotics, automation… It’s a big part of farming, its a big part of dairy. Young people have a place and a great need for young people in dairy farming.”

Milk is Idaho’s number one export. However, Anderson believes the dairy industry couldn’t be successful without the help of other farmers; all working together to mutually benefit Idaho’s agricultural industry as a whole.

“Good feed base available… which really works well with having a good potato industry, there’s a lot of the feed that the dairymen buy for the cattle. And, they’re a good rotation. And that’s all good for cattle producing a lot of milk. So there’s a lot of reason why Idaho has risen to where it is in milk production.”

Idaho’s top agricultural products are dairy, cattle and calves, potatoes, wheat, and hay. Every year, billions of dollars are generated from these products alone. This industry provides over 128,000 jobs, equally out to 1 in 7 jobs statewide.