THOMASVILLE — It’s easy to take farmers for granted. For most Americans, food is readily available and dafe. When people shop, they have a wide variety of foods to choose from. People can eat fast food on the go, cook a gourmet meal with locally-grown ingredients or satisfy their cravings with something in between.

Georgia farmers play a big part in feeding people. Did you know Georgia farmers produce almost half the peanuts grown in the U.S.? Georgia farmers also lead the nation in growing broilers that become the rotisserie chickens bought at the grocery store, enjoyed as chicken tenders or in chicken sandwiches. Georgia farmers also are top growers of blueberries, pecans and sweet onions. Georgia farmers also can be thanked for growing cotton and timber to cloth and house people.

Agriculture contributed $73.4 billion to Georgia’s economy in 2017 according to the University of Georgia’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. The center says food and fiber production and the process of getting the raw materials to consumers contributed 391,300 jobs for Georgians in 2017.

To celebrate farmers and the many contributions they make to the state, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has declared March 18-22 as Georgia Agricultural Awareness Week.

“Farmers make it possible for us to enjoy three meals a day with snacks in between,” said Lou Ellen Peek, Thomas County Farm Bureau president. “They also provide habitat to wildlife on their farms while protecting soil and water resources using environmentally sustainable methods to grow their crops and livestock. During Georgia Ag Awareness Week, I encourage everyone to take time to think what their life would be like if we didn’t have farmers.”

The week-long celebration will included these themed days: March 18 — School Garden Day; March 19 — Buy Georgia Grown Day; Marc 20 — Ag hero Day; March 21 — Al Literacy Day; March 22 — Make My Plate Georgia Grown Day; 

Visit georgiaagweek.com/agweek2019 for more information.