I would like to share some things with you about our farmers. South Dakota plays a valuable role in feeding the World.

A role that becomes even more important as concerns over feeding the world's population in the future increasingly make media headlines driven by population increases across the globe.

Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Director and Professor of Dairy Science, tells us,

The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the World will reach the nine billion mark by 2050. This is a 34 percent increase over the current population and its consequences are projected to not only impact developing countries, but even areas of the U.S.

South Dakota contributes to food security because the local agriculture industry has a significant impact on the state's economy. With more than 19 million acres of cropland and 23 million acres of pastureland, agriculture contributes $20.9 billion to the state's economy each year.

More than 80,000 South Dakotans are employed in the agricultural industry.

Colorado State University recently ranked South Dakota number one in its Agribusiness-Friendly Index. According to a Gallup poll, South Dakota is number two in the nation in well-being.

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