Thanksgiving has always had a special place in my heart. As a farmer myself, I have never taken for granted all the sweat, tears and long hours each and every farmer since the dawn of time has endured to raise food and other valuable products for the world. It takes a special person to tackle the task of nurturing animals and crops against impossible odds.

Still, as Rob Brenneman of Brenneman Pork eloquently said to a group of food bloggers “Every farmer wakes up every day and says, ‘I’m gonna feed the world today.’ They don’t have any room for doubt. They’re just doing the best job that they possibly can, every single day. They have to. They’re the first to eat it.” Like Brenneman, farmers set out every day to tackle the task at hand to place food on the plates for their family and the world. 

The first American pig farmer also knew the value of his pig. In 1539, Hernando de Soto brought 13 pigs to the United States to help sustain the troops. After seeing how valuable his pigs were to the Native Americans, de Soto used them in peace negotiations.

This season of thankfulness, it is important to reflect on the strong family heritage and blind faith that built America’s agriculture and shaped this country. While no words can ever properly thank the farmers and ranchers, this Thanksgiving as you gather around the dinner table with family and friends say an extra blessing for the hands that raise your food.

For me, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful:

God bless the American pig farmers and all farmers and ranchers.