Sometimes, people wonder how our lives lead us to where we are—and I think I’m a good example of that. Many of you might not know that, despite being the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Lincoln County, I didn’t actually grow up involved in agriculture. I spent my childhood in the suburbs of New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, with a dad who worked in sales and a mom who stayed home with us. Growing up, agriculture wasn’t something we talked about. My schools didn’t offer 4-H or FFA, to my knowledge, and I had very limited exposure to agriculture or farming. My one connection to the industry came through my love of horses—I started riding at eight years old and still ride today. Long story short, that love of horses led me to UGA as a pre-veterinary student and into the animal science program, where I fell in love with livestock production and agriculture in general. That experience shaped my future—and my perspective.
I think we often forget just how relevant agriculture is to every one of us. We tend to think of it as something distant: farmers, tractors, fields of crops, herds of livestock, or debates about local versus corporate production. But agriculture touches nearly every part of our daily lives, and it’s easy to overlook just how much we depend on it.
The old saying goes, “You need a farmer three times a day—for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Most people immediately think of food when they think of agriculture. It’s true, food production alone is a massive component of agriculture. Fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt, meat, honey, grains (bread, pasta, rice) and so much more – all of the things that fuel your body begin with agriculture.
Agriculture doesn’t stop at food. We can also thank it for our clothing – cotton, wool, linen, bamboo, and other natural fibers all have to be grown and processed before they become wearable. It’s also behind the materials that build our homes and everyday goods: timber for wood and paper, straw, natural dyes and inks, and even bioplastics made from corn or soybeans. Energy is another big one. Crops like corn produce ethanol for gasoline, soybeans can be made into biodiesel, and even manure can be composted or converted into electricity. And while those examples may seem pretty obvious, agricultural products are found in so many other things. Many medicines use plant and animal sources of materials – something as simple as aloe for a sunburn, or as complex as a pig valve for a heart. Personal care items contain agricultural products like cornstarch, plant oils, and beeswax. Animal byproducts like leather, tallow, and bone meal are often found in miscellaneous items like tires, paints, and crayons.
Beyond the products we get from agriculture, the industry plays a huge role in our communities and environment. Farmers and foresters maintain green spaces that store carbon, filter water, and provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Agricultural research informs sustainability practices, climate science, and even drives innovations like drones and robotics. Agriculture also supports local jobs, small businesses, and the overall stability of rural communities.
Lastly, it’s easy to forget the people who make agriculture possible. Farmers work tirelessly, day in and day out, facing challenges from weather, pests, regulations, and shifting markets. They’re parents and mentors, investing in and guiding the next generation. They’re your friends, your neighbors, and community leaders.
Beyond the farm, there’s an entire network keeping agriculture moving—feed and supply stores, equipment dealers and mechanics, lenders, truck drivers, processors, researchers, ag teachers, Extension agents, and market workers who support agricultural industries and help get products from the field into your daily life.
Agriculture is more than a profession—it’s a community built on hard work, resilience, and a shared goal of feeding, clothing, and sustaining us all. So while it’s natural to think of food first when you hear the word “agriculture,” don’t forget the bigger picture. Agriculture doesn’t stop at the farm gate—it starts there.
