Chenango County's prominent leaders in agriculture gathered at the Silo Restaurant in Greene Wednesday to commemorate the 40th annual Agriculture Recognition Day, a special day set aside to recognize the agriculture industry and the people who work hard to keep it the number one industry in the county.

Each year, Ag Day eulogizes to the various fields of agriculture, from food to fiber, and the need to keep agriculture a viable industry for generations to come. The occasion, hosted by the Chenango County Farm Bureau, featured guest speakers representing the local and state levels, all of whom reflected on the importance of a thriving agriculture market and applauded the farmers who make it possible.

“I think it’s important, particularly on a day like today, to show our gratitude to the many men and women who make agriculture possible,” said Chenango Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers. Agriculture is about more than food production, he added. “Today, the farmers are a direct lifeline to more than 23 million U.S. jobs in all kinds of industries ... it’s time we learn more about this industry that touches all of our lives.”

According to the Farm Bureau, the agriculture industry directly and indirectly employes 20 percent of America’s workforce. Americans, on average, spend only 10 percent of their annual income on food - the lowest in the world, noted Vickers.