John Deere is one of the many companies that sponsored the 42nd National Agriculture Day, hosted by the Agriculture Council of America. On March 18, classrooms and communities across the country recognized the event and its theme for 2015, “Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.”
Events associated with the celebration were hosted in Washington, D.C., including the Mix-and Mingle Luncheon and National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. Additionally, about 100 college students were invited by the ACA to deliver the message of National Agriculture Day to the people of the nation’s capital.
“This is undoubtedly the most important Ag Day program in our history,” said Jenny Pickett, president of the ACA. “Our goal is to ensure the eyes of the nation are on the contributions American agriculture makes not just here in the United States, but also around the world. That’s the message we’re taking to the Hill, and the message that will be carried through communities across America.”
Additional events that took place in honor of National Agriculture Day included a Google Hangout with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden, as well as the FarmHer Exhibit at the USDA, which looked at the role of women in agriculture.
National Agriculture Day was originally founded in 1973. The event is dedicated to helping Americans understand how food and fiber products are produced. Additionally, the ACA hoped to educate the public on the significance of agriculture in terms of the economy, as well as the career opportunities in the field.
Image credit: www.agday.org