What's for dinner?

It is the month of November and that means it is almost Thanksgiving time! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time when we can think about what we have to be grateful for, spend time with friends and family, and of course Black Friday shopping! However, Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without all of the delicious food, and we don't have food without agriculture. Here's some interesting facts to think about while you're watching the football game and munching down on some turkey and dumplings!

1. The Turkey!

Would it surprise you to know that at the first Thanksgiving it was Venison that was used and not turkey? The top turkey producing states in the U.S are Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, and Missouri. If you talk to any vegans or vegetarians they'll tell you that any kind of meat is super bad for your health, but it actually isn't. Turkey is low in fat and high in protein, and oftentimes has less fat than plant-based products. There are many companies in the U.S that produce turkey such as Cargill, Tyson, Perdue, Butterball, Turkey Valley Farms, and more.

2.The traditional Pumpkin Pie!

Did you know that the Native Americans were a fan of this delicious treat? I guess you could say that they were trend starters since pumpkins seem to make their way into anything after the start of October! The pumpkins used to flavor the pie most likely came from Illinois, the largest producer of pumpkins in the country.

3. Potatoes!

Potatoes can be used for many different dishes at Thanksgiving dinner. You can eat sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, or cheesy potatoes. Every year farmers produce about 4.4 billion pounds of regular potatoes and 847 million pounds of sweet potatoes.

4. Corn and Green beans!

Sweet corn and green beans are two of my favorite foods in the world and both can be used in a variety of ways! Every year farmers produce 7.4 billion pounds of sweet corn and 2 billion pounds of green beans.

I could definitely tell you more about how agriculture is tied to the delicious meal we eat, but that would be a very long list of facts! So while you are thinking about what you have to be thankful for this year, you should add a farmer to your list! Happy Thanksgiving!