When most of us go grocery shopping we just assume that whatever we’re looking for will be there, and give little thought to the fact that none of the food we enjoy on holidays originates at a grocery store.

“It’s been a tough year because of the drought and other ecological problems across the nation, but agriculture is strong. It’s strong based on its history. It’s strong based on the research and technology, but mainly it’s strong because of our producers.”

Ed Smith is the director of the Texas Agrilife Extension Service.

“The downturn that we’ve seen this year is not unusual in agriculture. We’re a biologically based industry. We’re going to have nature ups and downs. We plan for that. We’re cyclical, and we will survive.”

American holiday celebrations tend to focus around food and family gatherings. When you were doing your Thanksgiving grocery shopping, it’s a pretty safe bet that you found overfilled produce bins and meat and dairy cases that didn’t even hint of a tough year for agriculture.

“We’re very, very lucky in this United States to have the American farmer and the technology that not only produces enough for our country, but others around the world. Our producers work hard around the clock, seven days a week, all year long to make sure that this world is fed.”

So when you’re enjoying those wonderful Thanksgiving left overs, give a little thanks for the country’s farmers and ranchers that make the world’s most abundant an safe food supply possible.

“It’s something we have to have to sustain not only our living, but peace in the world. Agriculture will continue to develop technology, research, the delivery, the producers. We’ve increased productivity throughout the last 150 years. No reason why that productivity won’t increase in the future.”

I’m Shel Winkley, taking a look at the journey our food makes from the farm and ranch to our plates, From The Ground Up.