COSHOCTON — Honoring those who are part of Coshocton County’s largest industry was the point of a National Ag Day luncheon Tuesday at Lake Park Pavilion.
The seventh annual event was attended by more than 100 farmers and their families, and those in the community who support local agriculture.
Presentations were made by Phyllis Debnar on farming of the past and Kyle and Kurtis Croft on farming into the future. The FFA creed was given by Johnathan Woodward and Hayden Kilchenman of Ridgewood FFA.
David Marrison, agricultural and natural resources educator for the Ohio State University Extension Office of Coshocton County, said county farmers produce more than $100 million in products each year from crops to livestock with assets of more than $1 billion from property to animals to machinery and other equipment.
“It’s a chance for us to celebrate farmers and agriculture before they get busy in the fields. It’s a chance to pause and reflect on the importance of agriculture not just here in Coshocton County, but across the nation,” Marrison said.
The event in 2020 was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s event was in a drive-thru format. Marrison said it was good to be face-to-face again.
“Our agriculture industry is based on relationships and it’s hard to have relationships when you’re not seeing each other,” he said. “This is a day all about relationships and community.”
In attendance was Nate McNeal, who has a small farm south of Plainfield and is a retired ag teacher from Ridgewood Schools. He said the event is always well attended and looked forward to in the area.
“Our local people are the producers of the community, not only farmers but businessmen involved. It’s a little bit of a recognition for a job well done and it’s a tough job,” McNeal said.
The Crofts work with their parents and raise cows, corn, hay and soybeans. They noted the amount of farms and acreage has declined, but farmers today are doing less with more across the country. This will be crucial as projections show farm production needs to be increase by 70% by 2050 to feed a world population estimated at more than 10 billion.
In 1962, the average farmer fed 25 people, now it’s 155 people. Average yields by acre in 1950 have gone from 50 bushels of corn and 22 bushels of soybeans to 160 bushels of corn and 40 bushels of soybeans.
Debnar has a family farm she took over from her father that includes more than 100 acres, part of a land grant dating back to the Revolutionary War. Debnar traces her family tree to the Pew and Lawrence families, well known in the farming community.
“In the past 50 to 60 years, we have seen such substantial changes to farming and in the entire agriculture community,” Debnar said. “But, just like farmers of 100 years ago, a true farmer has to be highly skilled in all aspects of farming, flexible and willing to adapt to the ever changing environment.”
National Ag Day dates back to 1973 and is part of National Ag Week. The goal put forth by the Agriculture Council of America is to not only recognize and honor those in the agriculture industry, but to provide education to others on the importance of agriculture and farming in their communities.
llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com
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Coshocton farmers honored at National Ag Day luncheon – Coshocton Tribune
