Agriculture Week March 18-25 "Agriculture - America's Heartbeat" is the theme for the 1983 observance of National Agriculture Week. March 18-25. According to Stephen T. Gillmore. Utah Commissioner of Agriculture. "The aim of the week long observance is to focus attention on the benefits received from a strong and viable agriculture industry." Utah farmers and ranchers join with agriculture people across the nation in being the most efficient producers of food in the world. While citizens of other major ma-jor industrial nations pay from 24-JO percent per-cent of their net income for food. Americans pay only 14 percent. "We can all be proud of this country's agriculture achievements." said Gillmore. "Utah's 12.000 farmers and ranchers contribute 2 billion dollars annually an-nually to the state's economy, making it one of Utah's largest industries. Because every person working'on ah" American farm produces enough for 76 people, this country's farm productivity is the envy of other nations. However, the expense of farming coupled with a period of low farm prices for food products have made it extremely difficult for farmers in recent years. Today, only four percent of our population popula-tion lives or works on farms, producing more than enough to feed the rest of the nation. This surplus provides an essential essen-tial resource for world trade. "The U.S. exported $40 billion in farm commodities during 1982." said Gillmore. "cutting our trade deficit in half." Gilmore said. "Agriculture Week is a tribute to the entire food and agriculture system and an opportunity for the public to focus on its importance."