Science and technology are the essence of agriculture and are why one farmer feeds an average of 155 people today, compared to just 26 people in 1960. That’s nothing short of incredible, and it’s the result of farmers embracing new technology and understanding the importance of tools that make our food healthier and our fields more productive. If you have ever sat with a sick animal or poured your heart into a crop that is devastated by a disease, you quickly appreciate the power of vaccines or crop protection tools.
See more: Ask a Farmer: How Have You Incorporated Technology on the Farm?
So when the way out of this global pandemic came in the form of a vaccine, farmers were early adopters of this amazing achievement in science. As we talked about last summer, our farmers had no “work from home” option available to them, and they were #stillfarming during the last year to maintain our food supply. They have also worked hard to collaborate with others in the community to help educate their workers on the need to be vaccinated as well.
My doctor recently reminded me that many of us don’t fear viruses like polio that have been eliminated with vaccines because we’ve never experienced them. My hope is that future generations will not have to deal with fear of this virus because we eliminated it through science and technology. The QR code below will link you to a video showing you my quick, simple experience getting the vaccine with my wife, Tracey. Certainly there will be other challenges in the health world, just as agriculture faces a constant battle with Mother Nature. We defeat one pest, then here comes another one. That is why investing in research and development is always a high priority for farmers and, really, should be for all of society.
See more: N.C. Farmers Take Advantage of New Agriculture Technology
In closing, I hope all of you have had an opportunity to get vaccinated and we are well on our way to a more “normal” summer and fall. We all continue to mourn the loss of life that occurred with this virus and, I hope, have a better understanding of the important role science and technology play in our lives every day, from better health care to the abundant food supply we enjoy.
– President Shawn Harding
