USDA Celebrates National Ag Day

(Brush Prairie, WA), March 17 - American agriculture is responsible for providing the necessities of everyday life ... food, fiber, and even fuel. That's the message of National Ag Day, which is celebrated March 20, 2009. According to Taylor Murray, County Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Brush Prairie, WA producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America will gather to celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture on this first day of spring.
“The National Ag Day program is committed to increasing public awareness about American agriculture,” said County Executive Director, Murray. “As the world population soars, there is even greater demand for the food, fiber and renewable resources that the United States produces.”
The Agriculture Council of America, organizers of National Ag Day, says that every American should understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced and should value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. Consumers should appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products. National Ag Day will focus on educating Americans about the industry, so they may also acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, fiber and renewable resource industry.
“Today's farmer feeds more than 130 people in the United States and abroad,” said County Executive Director, Murray. “In 1960, that number was 25. Today, more than 15 percent of the U.S. population is employed in farm or farm-related jobs.”
Each year, the National Ag Day program gathers members of the agricultural industry in an effort to promote American agriculture. Focused on sharing how agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis, the National Ag Day program helps educate millions of consumers each year. Join this effort to promote American agriculture to everyone during National Ag Week, March 15-21, 2009. For more information contact your local USDA Service Center or the Agriculture Council of America.