This past Tuesday, America celebrated National Agriculture Day. Hopefully you saw a piece on the news, read about it in the newspaper or online, or participated in one of the many celebrations. National Ag Day is a day to recognize America’s farmers and agricultural industry, and celebrate the abundance it provides us each day. This was the 40th Anniversary of National Ag Day and each year, producers, agricultural organizations, and just about anyone involved in agriculture join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.
National Ag Day is also an opportunity for the general public to show their gratitude to the many men and women who make up the agriculture sector of our economy. We know that food and fiber doesn’t just arrive at the grocery or clothing store . . . or magically appear on our dinner table or in our closet. The agricultural industry is dedicated to providing plentiful and safe food for consumption, and much more. Today, each American farmer feeds about 144 people and agriculture is America’s #1 export.
Ag Day events take place across America, on farms, in communities small and large, and online. It’s appropriate that 4-H is a part of these celebrations, for our roots are based in agriculture and the 4-H program continues to have strong ties to agriculture, even though 4-H is much more today.
This week our very own Ryan Halligan, State 4-H President and 4-H Foundation Board member was one of 20 4-H members from across the country selected to attend and participate in the National Agricultural Day conference in Washington D. C. The event brings together college students who share a passion and interest in agriculture and advancing the knowledge of agriculture. This week, Ryan had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill, visit several of our legislators, participate in training session with government relations liaisons, share ideas; and attend a luncheon with Hill staffers and other Ag Day participants.
The National Agriculture Day conference in Washington is sponsored in part by the office of the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack and the Agriculture Council of America. The 4-H Foundation was delighted to help make Ryan’s trip possible, as he is the first Kentucky 4-H’er to be selected for this honored trip in several years.
I hope you took time this week to be thankful for the folks that are dedicated to making American agriculture the backbone of our nation’s economy and for providing the food, fiber and more that we as Americans enjoy and benefit from every day.
