During the past 50 years the population has become very removed from their food supply. In the past everyone had an uncle, aunt, grandparent or sibling that was a farmer. That has changed. This past year has reminded us of two things — our food supply is taken for granted and it is very essential.

May is National Beef Month. A time to celebrate spring, baby calves, green grass and grilling. All those things involve the beef industry, and it is also a good time to contemplate where that delicious beef comes from. There are a host of people who have helped get that juicy piece of meat to your grill — it took an agronomist, a feed mill operator, a veterinarian, a nutritionist, a tractor manufacturer, a trucker, a meat processor, a grocery store manager and a cache of other people — literally one out of every five Iowans are involved in agriculture and most of them can find their ‘fingerprints” on the burger you are going to grill.

The Marshall County Farm Bureau and the Marshall County Cattlemen continue to seek ways to draw the connection between you and your food. The “shop local” is a growing trend and there is nothing more local than these two organizations and the volunteers that work on your behalf.

Please take a minute — consider the role you have played in the production of this hamburger — the work others have contributed. But frankly, your role is the most important because you decided to purchase beef, grill it, and feed it to your beloved family. I just have one more thing to say — thank you.