NATIONAL AG DAY TO BE CELEBRATED
COLUMBIA, SC….Farmers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others will join together to celebrate National Ag Day, Saturday, March 20, 2010, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA organization. The theme of the celebration is “American Agriculture…Abundant…Affordable…Amazing”.
Sponsored by the Agricultural Council of America, National Ag Day is designed to remind Americans why it is important to know about Agriculture. Information provided by the National Ag Day web site www.AgDay.org shares some of the reasons why it is important to recognize---and celebrate---Agriculture. Among the reasons given include the fact that “everyone has to eat”! Increased knowledge of agriculture and nutrition allows individuals to make informed personal choices about diet and health. The council release also emphasizes that a strong Agricultural economy generates jobs. Employment opportunities exist across the board in agriculture. Career choices include: production agriculture, agribusiness management and marketing, agricultural research and engineering, food science and technology, food processing and retailing, banking and finance, agricultural education, landscape architecture, natural resource management, biofuels and biotechnology, just to name a few.
Because Agriculture touches each person, a general understanding of its practices is necessary and beneficial for everyone to know….not just the people who produce the world’s food supply. This is known as understanding agricultural literacy including a knowledge of the history of Agriculture as well as how current economic, social and environmental issues affect all Americans.
If American Agriculture is to remain strong and successful, it is imperative that we look to the best and brightest minds in agriculture to put science and technology to work in fueling the development of new innovations and solutions to global food insecurity while protecting and conserving the world’s rich natural resources,
The Agricultural Council of America suggests that National Ag Day is a good time for pausing and offering thanks for the bounty of American Agriculture and all who make it happen!