Franklin Parish Agriculture Isn't Just About Cotton Anymore

[Image: Cotton]The agricultural landscape in Franklin Parish has been shifting due to federal farm bill changes, commodity production costs and world market influences. The crops a farmer decides to plant can change drastically from one year to the next.

In 2009, Franklin Parish farmers planted 79,000 acres of corn, up 14,000 acres from last year; 41,000 acres of soybeans, an increase of 6,000 acres; 12,000 acres of cotton, down 9,500 acres; and 3,400 acres of sweet potatoes, down 300 acres. The largest shift in acres occurred in wheat. This year 17,500 acres were planted, a decrease of 28,000 acres. Last year we were the leading parish in wheat production, but even with the reduction in acres we ranked fifth in the state this year.

The 2008 gross farm value of plant enterprises in Franklin Parish was $110 million, aquaculture $17 million and animal enterprises $13 million. Keep in mind that this $140 million total gross farm value is after the production losses due to damages caused by Hurricane Gustav.

To borrow a phrase from Ray Young, “Franklin Parish’s smokestacks come out of the tractors in the field.” The agricultural producer is not the only recipient of an economic benefit from agriculture. Many jobs are related to agriculture in our parish -- from the employees in the farm stores, parts stores, tractor dealerships, cotton gins and grain elevators to the consultants, aerial applicators, truck drivers, grain and cotton buyers, insurance agent, agri[Image: Corn]cultural lenders in the local banks and federal, state and local government agriculture agencies. Property taxes collected on farmland help support our schools, roads, bridges and drainage.

Agricultural production in the United States continues to become more efficient. The average U. S. farmer produces enough food and fiber for about 150 people. This number was 19 people in 1940, 46 people in 1960 and 115 people in 1980. The U S. agricultural industry employs more than 22 million Americans to produce, process, sell and trade the nation’s food and fiber. This represents approximately 16-17 percent of the U.S. workforce. About 19 to 20 cents of every consumer dollar spent on food actually goes to the farmer. The other 81 cents is spent on processing, packaging, marketing, transportation, distribution and retail costs.[Image: Soybeans] It takes the average American about 35 days to earn enough disposable income to pay for all the food that is consumed at home and away from home during the entire year.

On October 20 the Winnsboro-Franklin Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the annual Farmers Appreciation Dinner. The recognition is well deserved. I hope you will take a moment to thank our local farmers. They are your neighbors, friends and relatives.