The American Farm Bureau Federation released a survey recently that states farmers help to keep the cost of a Fourth of July feast under $6 per person.

Americans spend only about 10 percent of their incomes on food, which is the lowest of any country. And we have the 210,000 full-time U.S. farms to thank for that abundant and affordable food supply. And those farmers are critical to America’s food independence, which is fostered by smart policy.

The National Board of Agriculture was founded in 1799 by George Washington in order to collect information on the nation’s agriculture inventories. Washington was quoted as saying “It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance.” The USDA was later established in 1862.

You’ve heard it time and again that the world’s population will grow to 9 billion by 2015. So remember to thank a farmer this Fourth of July for helping to produce food to feed that growing population in sustainable, efficient ways.

Read the full realease from Farm Policy Facts.

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