National Farmer's Day: How Farmers Impact the Alcohol Industry

Did you eat a plate of pasta, put on your favorite pair of jeans, or sip your favorite glass of wine today? You can thank a farmer for all of these integral parts of your life. National Farmer’s Day is October 12^th. It’s a day to recognize and honor the farmers who work tirelessly to feed and supply our nation. They plow, plant, raise, cultivate, and harvest so you can enjoy the pleasures of life from food to clothing to yes, even alcohol.

Farmers are as necessary to the country as the food, products, and alcohol itself. Unfortunately, farmers often go un-thanked for their hard work. This October, learn about the history of National Farmer’s Day — and how the impact of farmers reaches as far as the alcohol industry.

The History of National Farmer’s Day

Once called Old Farmer’s Day, National Farmer’s Day goes back to the days when agriculture was much more prevalent in most people’s lives. In fact, it was so prevalent that it’s the reason schoolchildren have summers off — to be available to work on the farm.

The day for National Farmer’s Day became October 12th, which is after the traditional harvest times of most crops. This allows the hard-working farmers to actually join in on the festivities instead of worrying about their harvest.

Farming is one of the oldest and most critical professions around. It dates back 12,000 years to the domestication of plants and livestock. Rather than hunting wild animals and gathering wild plants, people began settling in communities. They became farmers when they began growing crops and raising animals near where they lived.

Most people don’t farm now. But we all rely on the agricultural industry for many daily conveniences. National Farmer’s Day is a day to honor our farmers for all that they do.

The Impact of Farming

In the U.S., there are over 2 million farms, many of which are located in the state of Texas. Missouri follows closely in second place. The average farm today takes up a whopping 444 acres (compared to about 155 acres in 1935).

The farming industry employs more than 24 million Americans — that’s 17 percent of the nation’s workforce. Each farm feeds roughly 166 people each year. And agriculture adds about $1 trillion to the U.S. economy.

What does this all mean? Farmers are extremely important. From soybeans to corn to wheat, farmers produce the staples in your pantry, so you can stay nourished, healthy, and happy. They also produce cotton and wool, so you can have clothes on your back.

But beyond just food and clothes, the ingredients they farm help to produce your favorite spirits and wine. Next time you enjoy a glass of your favorite alcoholic beverage, think of the farmers who made it possible.

Farming, Grains, and Alcohol

Grains make an appearance in everything from your morning bowl of cereal, to your plate of pasta for dinner, to, of course, your evening cocktail or beer.

Whether your go-to drink is whiskey, vodka, or beer, you can thank a farmer this National Farmer’s Day for your favorite beverage.

Corn

Corn is actually the base of most whiskeys. Whiskey goes through an aging process, reducing the alcohol content and infusing the liquor with flavor and color. This is the taste of whiskey you know and love.

Barley

Barley is to beer what grapes are to wine: fundamental and absolutely necessary.

Barley is malted before making alcohol, creating that foamy mash that is made for brewing beer. That’s also what gives it its color and that malty, sweet flavor.

Rye

Used in Canadian whiskeys and rye whiskeys, rye is usually mixed with other grains to get to the right flavor. Rye is known for making extremely smooth liquor with a refreshing, light taste.

Learn more about the difference between rye and bourbon.

Wheat

Grown in large quantities across a lot of the earth’s agricultural land, wheat is a staple in food crops and distilled beverages. Wheat plays a role in a variety of spirits, many of which you’re likely to benefit from on a daily basis.

Vodka is sometimes distilled from wheat, such as in iconic brands like Absolut, Stolichnaya, and Ketel One. Gin is similar to vodka — only flavored with juniper berries and other aromatic ingredients. Many gins are made from mixtures of wheat, rye, and barley.

Small-scale craft whiskey distilleries often use wheat, producing a light, delicate, and dry flavor enjoyed by many whiskey lovers. Wheat can also play a role in other spirits, like blended whiskies, schnapps, and sweet liqueurs.

Farming and Wine

Wine farming — also known as viticulture or winegrowing — is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. Growing grapes such as Zinfandel, Barbera, Grenache, Tempranillo, and Petite Syrah (to name just a few!) requires plenty of time, knowledge, and dedication. As a result, wine farmers play a critical role in getting wine from the vineyards to your glass.

Usually, wine grape harvesting time is in August, September, and October in Europe and North America. In Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa, it’s between February and April.

There are two kinds of harvesting: hand-harvesting and mechanical harvesting. Hand-harvesting leads to more precise selection and avoids damaging the grape skin and, therefore, juice content. But mechanical harvesting is more efficient and cost-effective. As a result, many wine farmers use a combination of the two.

Celebrating National Farmer’s Day with our Favorite Drink

Farmers play a role in so many parts of daily life, from the food you eat to the clothes you wear. This National Farmer’s Day, don’t forget to celebrate their critical role in the spirits, wine, and beer you know and love.

Sip on your favorite fall wine, enjoy a glass of bourbon or savor a pint of beer. But make sure you thank a farmer for producing the ingredients necessary for your favorite alcoholic beverage.

How are you going to celebrate National Farmer’s Day this year?

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