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sweet potatoes We’re sweet on
You could depend on them showing up at Thanksgiving dinner, but sweet potatoes continue to achieve year-round popularity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports the nation’s per-person consumption of sweet potatoes has nearly doubled in the past 20 years. California is a top producer of sweet potatoes in the U.S., withMerced County contributing about three-quarters of the Golden State’s crop. Fun fact: A sweet potato is not a potato and actually comes from the morning glory family.
Good news
for ag grads
College graduates with degrees in agriculture can expect strong job demand, according to an updated report from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Purdue University. The study estimates steady growth of about 59,000 job opportunities annually for agricultural graduates, and that employer demand for the available graduates will exceed supply. Although the study began before the pandemic, the report’s authors say they’re confident demand for agricultural graduates will remain “strong and steady.”
Survey shows strong trust in U.S. farmers
Trust in American farmers has increased during the pandemic, according to survey results released by the American Farm Bureau. The nationwide survey showed nearly nine in 10 respondents trust farmers, up 4% from a survey taken four months prior. The survey also gauged Americans’ attitudes about agricultural sustainability practices, and found nearly 60% rated farmers’ practices positively.
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