Happy 45th National Ag Day

Today, as farmers eagerly welcome the first day of spring, many are also celebrating National Ag Day and the role of youth in the future of agriculture.

The Future of Agriculture

Among the youth playing a vital role in the future success in agriculture are two high school students who won the 2018 National Ag Day essay and video contests.

Rio Bonham of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, believes National Ag Day is important to help bridge the gap between those involved in production agriculture and those involved in the consumption of agricultural products.

"These efforts by the Agriculture Council of America have a substantial impact on making agriculture an understood and appreciated topic for consumers, as well as a career path for the next generation," says Bonham. "I am extremely proud to be part of such a cause."

As the winner of a $1,000 prize for his essay, How Will Agriculture Feed the World?: It Starts Today, Bonham will travel to Washington, D.C., be recognized at the National Press Club where he'll read his essay, and meet farmers and industry representatives.

Zoe McCormick considers the day to have a huge influence in educating the public on the importance of agriculture while putting the spotlight on the significance of farmers across the nation. As the winner of the video contest, McCormick also receives a $1,000 prize that she plans to use toward college and to buy 4-H show pigs this year.

Both winning essays can be viewed on the National Ag Day website.

What You Can Do Today

The National Ag Day program believes that every American should understand how food, fiber, and renewable resource products are produced, value the essential role of agriculture for a strong economy, and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products.

The National Press Club Event, a Taste of Ag Reception, as well as the Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit are among the events taking place in Washington this week with additional events held around the country.

You can take part in the national celebration simply by making a farm-to-table meal with your family, planning an activity to educate youth on agriculture, sharing photos related to agriculture on social media using the hashtag #foodforlife, or visiting local farms. The opportunities are endless.

The 2018 theme is "Agriculture: Food for Life" to tell the story of American agriculture and to remind citizens of the prominence of it in their daily lives.

Each year, National Ag Day is held during National Ag Week, which is organized by the Agriculture Council of America to celebrate all those who feed our world, care for crops and livestock, and bring awareness to agricultural production.