While humans and animals depend on each other, our daily contact with animals has become increasingly limited due to the urbanization of our society. Today more than 90% of our population lives in urban areas, where our contact with other species is largely limited to zoos, animal parks or pets. As a result, the public is often unaware that many of the food and fiber products we value are the result of the hard work and quality care provided by farmers who enjoy close daily contact with animals.

Farmers lives are driven by the needs of their animals. Rain or shine, hot weather or cold, summer or winter, herds and flocks must have care. Many farmers are up before sunrise; their nights are short, their days long. For farmers, vacations and holidays are defined not by the calendar, but by the special requirements of the animals for which they are responsible.

Tending to the needs of animals requires a commitment from the farm families who have chosen agriculture as a way of life. That commitment is largely responsible for the wholesome, high quality foods and the durable natural fur and fibers we enjoy today. It has enabled 2% of us -- our farmers -- to feed 100% of our people.

The family farm continues to be the mainstay of American agriculture. More than 97% of the farms in the U.S. are owned by an individual or married couple, or are partnerships that include parents and children or close relatives. Most farms are handed down from generation to generation.

Modern technology has made it possible for family farmers to care properly for more animals than they did a century ago. More efficient production methods have helped to keep food and fiber affordable for consumers. However, technology will never be a substitute for the hands-on care and commitment that farm families bring to their work.

Living close to animals and the land is both a privilege and a responsibility. In Minnesota and elsewhere, farmers have embraced the twin ethics of humane animal care and responsible environmental stewardship. Concern for animal welfare and respect for the earth our children will inherit are guiding principles for today's farm families. The following pages on this web site will tell you more about how Minnesota farmers put these principles to work every day on the farm. The information contained here is your best evidence that "Minnesota Farmers Care."