By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

In Iowa we have an attorney running for office that denigrated having a farmer on a committee and then later claimed to be a farmer.  Just saying.

I think the fundamental reason that they claim to be farmers is America was founded by farmers and farmers are the last group of people that are seen as hard working and honest.

It's changing though as some political groups are attacking farming and farmers because it's lucrative for those groups.  Then too are the farmers who attack other farmers to gain market share for their speciality crops.  

All in all the day will come when identifying with a farmer will be as valuable as identifying with a used car salesman.