Every Thanksgiving, after the farm chores are done, the turkey is consumed and the football games have been both played and watched, I bask in the silence for just a few moments. In years past, I’ve written here about how grateful I am for the family, friends and colleagues who play such a huge role in my life. I’ve noted how blessed we have been to work in agriculture despite the ups and downs. I’ve shared how excited I am about the weeks to come with our Missouri Farm Bureau annual meeting and the holiday season that comes with the turn of the calendar.
And while I sometimes dread the repetitiveness that a typical day can bring, I’ve realized how fortunate I am that so many of those rhythms remain true again this year. The ordinary has truly become a gift.
That’s not to say the road is without bumps. I wrote about a big one in my life in a Commentary earlier this week, in fact. But as each November seems to come faster than the last, I’ve learned to appreciate the gifts and lessons that Thanksgiving has to offer.
One of my favorite news releases each year comes during this very week from the American Farm Bureau Federation. Its annual Thanksgiving dinner survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of our table’s staples. From turkey and sweet potatoes to peas, cranberries and pumpkin pie, this survey – unchanged in format for 40 years – gives us a quick glance not just at food prices but at the broader economy.
For the third straight year, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner will cost less than the year before, totaling about $5.52 per person for a classic holiday feast for 10. While this is a 5% drop from 2024, these three years of declines don’t completely erase the pandemic-era increases that peaked at a record $64.05 in 2022.
Even more encouraging for those of us in Missouri: prices in the Midwest ($54.38) and our state specifically ($46.31) remain below the national average. Once again, your dollar goes further when it’s spent right here at home.
The United States lost more than 15,000 farms last year because of a variety of economic pressures. Each of those farms had a story and a family behind it, and I hear from many Missouri farmers and ranchers who are barely hanging on. They understand their call, and they’re doing everything they can to make ends meet, but putting pencil to paper gets harder every year. At MOFB, we’re doing everything we can to ease those burdens – fighting burdensome regulations, protecting our natural resources, and launching impactful initiatives like the soon-to-be released MOFB Health Plans that may help keep farm families right where they want to be and provide much-needed relief for healthcare costs.
As I look towards Thanksgiving, I’m reminded that gratitude isn’t about the big milestones or the good year. It’s about recognizing the steady, everyday blessings that keep us grounded and connected. Even in our challenging times, our communities and our shared purpose give us reasons to be hopeful. My wish for you and your family this season is simple: may you find peace in the quiet moments and gratitude in every part of the year ahead.
