The Zipline: A time of Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, families across America are getting ready to gather with loved ones, share favorite dishes and reflect on the past year.

For our family, we continue a long tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving in my grandfather’s barn. Over the years, that barn has seen countless gatherings, but each one feels a little richer as we welcome new generations to the table.

It’s such a blessing to watch my children and grandchildren laugh, play and make memories in the same place I once did. That’s what makes this season so special, a reminder of how our love ties us all together.

For many farms, this season marks the end of the year with harvest, but also brings us a time to reflect on the work we do to provide safe and abundant food for families across the country.

It’s a chance to look across the Thanksgiving table and celebrate the fruit of our labor, while also being mindful of the families struggling to put food on the table.

This year, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey shows the average price of a holiday meal is down 5% from last year, which also saw a similar-sized decline in costs.

But even with this relief, inflation and the cost of food remain top of mind with prices still 19% higher than in 2019.

Farmers and ranchers are feeling that pressure, too, dealing with high interest rates, steep costs for labor and other business expenses and a year marked by devastating natural disasters across the county.

We need Congress to pass a modernized farm bill to ensure we can keep doing the job we all love in the face of these challenges. Disaster relief and extended tax provisions will also help keep our food supply secure and affordable for all Americans.

While the challenges our farmers and ranchers are facing can feel very heavy at times, this holiday season offers a time to reflect on why we press forward.

When we look around the table at our families and loved ones, thinking about those who came before us and those who will come after us, we’re reminded of what it’s all about.

This holiday season also presents an opportunity for us to reach out to others. Many of our neighbors and community members are still dealing with the effects of natural disasters or facing other hardships, and this is a great time for us all to keep lending a hand.

And whether it be helping with recovery efforts, sharing a meal or simply offering support, we can all make a difference for those in need.

Also, if you are looking for a way to give back this season, then I encourage you to check out our Hurricane Relief page — at www.fb.org/issue/hurricane-helene — to learn how you can help support the efforts of our state Farm Bureaus to assist farm and ranch families impacted by the disasters.

Throughout this year, we’ve seen countless examples of Farm Bureau members stepping up to support their communities, and I have no doubt that spirit of generosity will shine even brighter this holiday season.

It’s that collective strength and commitment to one another that makes us a community, and I trust that, no matter what’s ahead, our dedication to agriculture and our fellow Americans will remain strong.

This Thanksgiving, as we gather around the table, let’s all take a moment to appreciate those bonds that bring us together, the hard work that fills our plates and the support we offer each other along the way.

It’s a time to be grateful for what we have and look forward to the new moments and memories that await us.

From my family to yours, may you have a safe, blessed and joyous Thanksgiving.