NORWICH – A week from today, on National Agriculture Day, farmers will be honored for sustaining life around the world and underpinning America’s economy, including Chenango County’s, where a vital segment of the economy is based on agriculture.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed Tuesday, March 20 ‘Ag Day’ during a brief recognition ceremony yesterday at its monthly board meeting. In accepting the designation, Chenango County Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers said he “was honored on behalf of those who provide you with quality food and fiber every day.”

With estimates of 9 billion people on the planet by 2050, feeding them will require agribusinesses to increase production, Vickers pointed out, making farmers even more indispensable.

“We need to correct consumers’ vision of where the food comes from. ... Wall Street doesn’t produce anything. .... Look at our agricultural industry .... we’re looking at 9 billion people who are going to be in need of food and fiber. We’re concerned about our oil supplies coming from the Middle East, while the world is looking for food supply from the United States of America,” he said.