Editors:

With everyone from New York City to Hollywood adding their two cents about how food is raised, it's important you hear from the people who are actually doing the raising – ranchers like me. My family owns and operates an Angus cattle ranch in White City, Kan.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that in America, we are blessed with an abundant food supply. It is safe to say that without the technology and innovation of today's farmers and ranchers, we would be spending a lot more money on much less food. Through scientific advances, we are able to produce more food on fewer acres and more beef and milk with fewer cows.

As cattle ranchers, my family works every day, no matter the weather, to make sure the animals we own have enough good food and water, as well as pasture or pen space to move and shelter from the weather. Unlike other jobs, farming is a 24-hour-per-day job, with no time off on holidays. Often, you will see tractors moving early on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning – even before the family gathers to celebrate.

At this time of year, we are all gathering with family to give thanks. I encourage you to remember to give thanks for our farmers and ranchers and the abundant, safe food supply that we enjoy. Farming or ranching is not a 9-to-5 job. It's a way of life. I'm proud to be an American rancher, and I hope you'll join me in saying thanks to other American farmers and ranchers for providing our food this holiday season.

-Meghan Blythe Freshman in Agricultural Communications and Journalism, White City, Kan.