March 15 marks National Ag Day, as established by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA). The goal of the event is to help Americans understand how food is produced, as well as the role of agriculture in the country’s economy. The theme for Ag Day 2016 is “Stewards of a Healthy Planet.”
Agriculture is increasingly playing a role in the U.S. bio-product and energy market. This year’s National Ag Day highlights this shift in the industry, while also encouraging young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture by building awareness.
To celebrate the event, the Agriculture Council of America has released a slew of information on its website on how communities can partake in National Ag Day. The ACA encourages individuals to promote National Ag Day by forming a strong committee of agriculture enthusiasts, delivering a primary message of agriculture support, and hosting an event.
Some of these suggested events include petting zoos, farmer’s markets, an Ag Day breakfast, and a pizza party. The over-arching goal is to bring the community together to discuss the importance of agriculture and its impact on the country.
Last year, John Deere was a sponsor of the 42nd National Ag Day on March 18. The theme of the event in 2015 was “Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.”
“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,” Jenny Pickett, president of the ACA, said at the time of the event.