Each of us is impacted by agriculture every day. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, and many of the products we use are all available because of Ag. But too many people are unaware of just how important this industry is. So, this year, Gills Onions invites all Americans to join us in celebrating National Ag Week, March 22–28, 2020.
The Part We Play in American Agriculture
The most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that there are 438,396 American men and women who work as farmers and ranchers. They represent the lifeblood of our industry, and they are working harder than ever. In 1960, the average U.S. farmer fed about 26 people. Today, that number has grown to 155 people. In order to keep up with America’s population growth, the Ag industry will need to grow more food in the next 50 years than in the past 10,000 years combined. That means that today’s growers need to produce twice as much food as all the farmers before them, and they have to do it without depleting precious natural resources.
At Gills Onions, we operate one of the largest fresh-cut onion processing plants in the world, and we’re proud to lead the charge for agricultural conservation and innovation. We are increasing plant yields per acre and decreasing the amount of land required for growing. Our innovative seed development reduces the need for pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. We have embraced drip irrigation and integrated pest management while converting our onion waste into usable energy. Our most important mission — and the mission we share and celebrate with the rest of the agriculture industry — is delivering delicious and healthy foods to our fellow Americans.
Meet Our Favorite Farmers
Steve and David Gill are the perfect definition of “boots on the ground” farmers. The entire Gill family represents a true legacy of farming, and, like so many other farmers, are an example of what makes Ag worth celebrating.
Steve and David are fourth generation California farmers. They grew up on their father’s small farm in King City, California, and together they expanded the family farming operation to more than 20,000 acres with an additional 10,000 acres operated with other farming partners. From the very beginning, the Gill brothers have focused on one primary component in their farming: quality. They have become successful because they practice what they preach.
Today, Steve and David own dozens of agricultural companies ranging from western vegetable farming operations to vineyards and wineries. They are vertically integrated from their own seedling nursery, farming, harvesting, cooling, shipping, transportation, and fresh-cut produce as well as juice and plants. Our founders are intimately involved in daily farming operations. They continue to operate Gills Onions as a family owned and operated company, and we all feel like we are part of the family.
Celebrate National Ag Week with Us
National Ag Week is the perfect time to celebrate all the things that make our company — and all of agriculture — so wonderful. At Gills Onions, we will be celebrating our employees who make everything we do possible. We’ll also be celebrating the communities that support us, use our products, and partner with us each day.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating the power that comes from knowing where your food comes from. Raise awareness, and challenge others to become engaged and educated about the impacts of Ag. You might consider attending a local National Ag Week or National Ag Day (March 24, 2020) event. You can also share your thoughts on social media with the hashtag #AgWeek. Take time to check out an agriculture-themed podcast, vlog, or social influencer.
However you choose to celebrate, thank you for supporting American agriculture!
Ready to try onions grown “The Gill Way”? Contact our sales department to learn more.