Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Ag Day Poster Art Contest Winner Announced

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) and Successful Farming encouraged young artists to celebrate modern agriculture through the first ever National Ag Day Poster Art Contest. A winning original piece of art has been chosen as the Official National Ag Day poster.

Congratulations to April Fox, Wayne State University, for being selected the winner of the contest. Fox was selected amoung many young artists in the competition. The contest theme was Generations Nourishing Generations. Entries were screened by a nine member jury and finalists were judged through online voting to determine the winner.

In addition, her artwork and a profile of Fox will be prominently featured in Successful Farming magazine and Ag Day correspondence.  She will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Successful Farming. Media releases will also be sent to all Ag Day sponsors and supporters. The artist will receive a portion of the proceeds from limited edition prints and the original artwork will be on display in a public location.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
  • Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
  • Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
  • Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
  • Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

American Agriculture: Nourishing Opportunities

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) calls on ninth- to 12th-grade students to submit an original, 450-word essay or a two-minute video essay about the importance of agriculture. This year’s theme is “American Agriculture: Nourishing Opportunities” and the deadline is Feb. 1, 2013. The ACA asks teachers and parents to encourage student participation.

The theme, “American Agriculture: Nourishing Opportunities,” presents an opportunity for students to address how the agriculture industry is an endless source of opportunity for growth and development. Entrants may choose to either write an essay and/or create a video focusing on how today’s growers are overcoming challenges to provide a safe, stable food supply and sustain the significant role agriculture plays in everyday life.

“CHS enthusiastically supports rural youth and is proud to showcase their ideas,” says Annette Degnan, marketing communications director, CHS Inc., one of this year’s essay contest sponsors. “The essay and video contests provide an engaging platform for their voices, vision and dreams to be shared with a broader audience.’”

The national written essay winner receives a $1,000 prize and round-trip ticket to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner held March 19 at Whitten Patio at the USDA. During dinner, the winner will have the opportunity to read the winning essay as well as join with industry representatives, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a festive ag celebration. The video essay winner wins a $1,000 prize, and the winning video will play during the Celebration of Ag Dinner.

This is the 40th anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on agriculture and the food and fiber industry. The ACA not only helps consumers understand how food and fiber products are produced, but also brings people together to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

The Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, National Association of Farm Broadcasting, National Agri-Marketing Association, Country Living Association, Farm Progress Companies and McCormick Company.

All written entries should be sent to: 2013 Ag Day Essay Contest, Agriculture Council of America, 11020 King Street, Suite 205, Overland Park, KS 66210, or submitted by e-mail to essay@agday.org. Students may upload video essays at http://agday.leapfile.net and follow the directions on the page, or students may choose to mail video entries on a compact disc to the address above. Visit www.agday.org or www.hpj.com/agdayessay to read official contest rules and for more details regarding entry applications.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

National Ag Day Poster Art Contest Begins Aug. 1

A winning piece of art will be chosen as the Official National Ag Day Poster

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) and Successful Farming are encouraging young artists to celebrate modern agriculture through the first ever National Ag Day Poster Art Contest. A winning original piece of art will be chosen as the Official National Ag Day poster.

The contest begins August 1 and is open to amateur artists enrolled in high school or college. The contest theme is Generations Nourishing Generations. Entries will be screened by a nine member jury.  Finalists will then be judged through online voting to determine one winner.

In addition, the artwork and a profile of the artist will be prominently featured in Successful Farming magazine and Ag Day correspondence.  The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Successful Farming. Media releases will also be sent to all Ag Day sponsors and supporters. The artist will receive a portion of the proceeds from limited edition prints and the original artwork will be on display in a public location.

The deadline for submitting entries is Midnight (CST), October 31, 2012. For rules on the National Ag Day Poster Art Contest visit www.agday.org.

“The Agriculture Council of America is fully supportive of the new Ag Day Poster Art Contest,” said Barry Nelson, John Deere and ACA Chair. “It’s a great way to encourage young artists to celebrate agriculture and spread the word of the importance of agriculture in everyone’s lives.” 

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society. 

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
  • Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
  • Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
  • Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
  • Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

Generations Nourishing Generations

Agriculture Council of America Announces 2013 National Ag Day Date

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host National Agriculture Day on March 19, 2013. This will mark the 40th anniversary of National Ag Day which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country. The theme for Ag Day 2013 is “Generations Nourishing Generations.”

On March 19, 2013, ACA will host major events in the nation’s capital including the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. Additionally, the ACA will bring approximately 100 college students to Washington to deliver the message of Ag Day to the Hill.

These events honor National Agriculture Day and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:
  • Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
  • Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
  • Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
  • Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.
In addition to the events in Washington, DC on March 19, the ACA will once again feature the Ag Day Essay Contest. New for 2013 will be the Ag Day Poster Contest.

Keep checking www.agday.org for more information on National Ag Day in 2013.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Students Bring Ag Day to Capitol Hill

Over 100 students from NAMA, FFA, 4-H, AFA, the Consortium and other groups were chosen to share in the message of agriculture and its importance during Ag Day Celebration 2012. Students stayed at the National 4-H Visitors Center and visited Capitol Hill to meet directly with legislators and advisors from their home state.

Tuesday, March 6, kicked-off with a welcome for the students and a mix-and-mingle to get to know each other.

On Wednesday, March 7, students participated in training sessions with government relations liaisons, shared ideas and built advocacy plans. They also took a guided tour of Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, March 8, they shared morning coffee at the USDA with Krysta Harden, Chief of Staff for Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. They also attended the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon at the Senate Building.

Ag Day Coffee Kicks-off National Ag Day

Photo by Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, LLC
The Ag Day Coffee kicked off the 2012 Ag Day Celebration, March 8, in Washington, D.C. Over 200 people attended the morning coffee to hear Krysta Harden, Chief of Staff to Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, at the USDA Whitten Building Patio.

Before joining the Obama Administration, she served as the CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts based in Washington, D.C. from 1993-2004. Ms. Harden was the Senior VP of Gordley Associates, an agriculture consulting firm, where she focused on conservation and renewable energy issues.

Krysta worked on Capitol Hill from 1981-1992. Her time on the Hill included serving as a professional staff member for the House Agriculture Committee and as chief of staff and press secretary to former Congressman Charles Hatcher (D-GA).

Krysta is from Camilla, Georgia, where her family still lives and farms and a graduate of the University of Georgia.
Photo by Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, LLC

Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon

Approximately 300 people attended the Ag Day Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon at the Longworth House Office Building on March 8. Attendees listened to Congressman Collin Peterson speak on the importance of American agriculture along with Danielle and Chad Budy, one of the Outstanding Young Farmer honorees. Also speaking at the luncheon was Student NAMA member, Matrica Myer.

Chad Budy began farming in junior high school, planting 250 acres of rented land with wheat and grazing 100 head of cattle. He now raises wheat, alfalfa, canola, stocked cattle and cow/calf pairs on more than 6,300 acres near Alva, Oklahoma.  He graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma University with a degree in ag business.  He and his wife, Danielle, both come from five generations of farming and ranching.

The Outstanding Young Farmer program began in the 1940s.  The first Outstanding Young Farmer National Congress, held under the sponsorship of John Deere, in 1977, in Bismarck, ND.

From the registrations received each year, the top 25 candidates are reviewed by judges and from that group the top ten are chosen for an expense paid trip to the OYF Awards Congress each year.  These top 10 automatically become members of the OFA Fraternity.  From the top ten – 4 are chosen as National Outstanding Young Farmers.   In attendance at Ag Day festivities were the four national winners from the OYF Class of 2011. There are 1500 plus members in the OFA fraternity and several hundred of them return each year to attend the Congress and renew friendships from years passed.  The OFA Fraternity are incorporated and elect officers who serve 2 year terms.  The OFA is a very important part of the OYF Program and the majority of the membership remain successful and influential farmers.

John Deere has been the national sponsor of this program since 1977.  Honorees for the Outstanding Young Farmers were: Joseph and Dawn Geremia from Connecticut; Chad and Danielle Budy from Oklahoma; John and Stacy Melick from New Jersey; and Ryan and Michelle Keller from Wisconsin.

The luncheon also featured a speaker representing the students involved in the Ag day Hill visits. Matrica Myer is from Edgar, Nebraska where she grew up on a corn soybean, and cattle operation. She is now a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she is studying agribusiness with an entrepreneurship minor. She is involved with the Nebraska Agriculture Youth Council, National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), Engler Agribusiness entrepreneurship club, and is the secretary of the Agricultural/Agribusiness Club. 

For more photos of all of the Ag Day Activities please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimmcomm/sets/72157629172832298/. All photos courtesy of Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, LLC.

A Celebration of Agriculture Dinner

Photo by Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, LLC
Over 175 people attended the Celebration of Agriculture Dinner at the USDA Whitten Building Patio on March 8, 2012.

Attendees were welcomed to the dinner by Orion Samuelson, WGN Radio. The dinner began with a reception for all attendees followed by remarks from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. After his remarks, the Secretary mingled with the guests just before a pork dinner courtesy of the National Pork Producers Council and created by Mark Salter, Chef at the Robert Morris Inn.

Also in attendance and recognized at the dinner were the 2011 Outstanding Young Farmer honorees which included: Joseph and Dawn Geremia from Connecticut; Chad and Danielle Budy from Oklahoma; John and Stacy Melick from New Jersey; and Ryan and Michelle Keller from Wisconsin.

Photo by Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, LLC
Honored at the dinner were the Ag Day Essay Contest video and written essay winners. The theme of this year's essay contest was "Feeding the Future, Filling the Gap." The video essay was written and produced by Diane Gress, a junior from Shreve, Ohio. Following the video essay, Miriam Martin, a junior from Bucklin, Missouri, read her essay.

The essay contest is sponsored by: CHS with support from The Council for Agricultural Science & Technology, High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, the National Agri-Marketing Assn., McCormick Company, and Farm Progress.

2012 Ag Day Essay Video



2012 Ag Day Written Essay


"American Agriculture: Feeding the Future,
Filling the Gaps"
"Destiny is not a matter of chance.  It is a matter of choice.  It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”  When William Jennings Bryan made this statement in his famous speech titled “America’s Mission” in 1899, he had no idea that the world’s population was projected to exceed nine billion by 2050.  However, he did realize that if America was going to succeed in future generations, we had to be prepared, proactive, and persevering.  The responsibility to sustain America and the potential to feed the world is within American agriculture.

The first step in feeding the future is being prepared.  This requires educating American consumers, constant innovation within biotechnology, and a clear vision for the future.  Opportunities range from teaching elementary students where their food comes from, to speaking with legislators about how regulations affect production agriculture’s livelihood.  Taking advantage of international markets and funding research to increase safety and efficiency is absolutely necessary.  More food will have to be produced in the next 50 years than the last 10,000 years combined, if we are going to accomplish our goal of feeding the world.

Secondly, we must be proactive when it comes to showing others that we care about the well being of our animals.  Being willing to share our story and listen to others’ concerns is very important.  When we are open minded and willing to cooperate, we discover solutions to problems instead of magnifying them.  I am a beef and pork producer that understands how transparent I need to be with my quality assurance programs.  People don’t care what you have to say until they know that you care.  Caring means staying informed about the safest handling techniques, giving tours of your operation to the public, and being involved in social media.  We must consider our environmental impact and be stewards of the land.

 In order to succeed we must persevere.  American agriculture cannot be focused on simply feeding ourselves; that would be selfish.  We are striving to feed the future, and that means thinking and educating globally.  When we work with scientifically advanced countries, it ensures consistency and predictability.  This requires perseverance to work with different cultures, values, and standards.

As William Jennings Bryan said, we are given a choice.  We have the option of stepping up to the challenge or shying away.  My plea is that America cares enough about the fact that someone dies every 2.43 seconds of starvation, to do something about it.  This will take the determination to prepare, courage to be proactive and conviction to persevere.  I believe American agriculture has the power to feed the future and fill the gaps.

For more photos of all of the Ag Day Activities please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimmcomm/sets/72157629172832298/. All photos courtesy of Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, LLC.

Ag Day Across America

In honor of National Ag Day, March 8, 2012, many people celebrated American Agriculture. Take a look at the activities, events and articles in celebration of Ag Day!

A Passing Grade for Ag Day

Ag Day honors for Becks, Winger

Letter: Ag teacher shapes students' lives

Ag Day Activities in DC

Children learn significance, history of farming

MILAN: Jenna Manor wins American FFA Award at national convention

Mini Farm Fest

True American agriculture celebrated : News : ConnectAmarillo.com

2012 Census of Ag lets farmers share their story | Ohio Ag Net

Celebrating Ag Day | TFI

It is National Ag Day and I ask the consumer what they think at Mayo

National Ag Day celebrates farmers

Local businesses get boost at Georgia Ag Day

Annual Farmer's Share Ag Day Dinner scheduled

Outstanding Young Farmers Attend Ag Day Activities

Ag Day free breakfast, training scheduled

CFTC Inaction Harms Farmers And Precious Metals Investors

Conservation District: Get your bid paddles for auction

National cattlemens pushes for checkoff reform | Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's

2012 National Ag Day Essay Contest Winners

2012 National Agriculture Day Proclamation

Ag Day activities strike positive chord for farmers, ranchers and everyone

Thank America's farmers on National Ag Day | Western Farm Press

A Message for Ag Day: Hunger is Here, Too - Farm Futures

Dietitians Online Blog: March 8, Ag Day meets What's On MyPlate Day

2012 National Ag Day | Dairy Bar Daydream

Top chefs, Colorado style at the Capitol Colorado Ag Day – The Spot

Today is National Agriculture Day-Hug a Farmer!

Ag Day 2012 | AR Farm Bureau Blog: Taste Arkansas

Consider This...National Ag Day for a reason - KCBD NewsChannel

Ag Day - AgInfo.net

NRCS Promotes Observance of Ag Day on March 8, 2012

National Ag Day Emphasizes Role of Farmers

National Ag Day Stresses Positive Food Message

National Ag Day Morning Coffee Break

Things to know: Big Ten tourney opens; food trucks Downtown for Ag Day

It's National Ag Day, and, farmers, we need you more than ever

New York state celebrates National Agriculture Day

It's National Agriculture Day

Collins: Thank region's ag producers for benefits of their industry

CattleWomen to observe Ag Day

Barn Media 3-8-12: National Ag Day in Colorado benefits Food Bank of the Rockies

Waco: Farmers And Ranchers Celebrate Ag Day

Iowa digest

USFRA Hold Food Dialogues Prior to National Agriculture Day

WINDMILL COUNTRY: Hands-on approach

Capitol celebrates National Agriculture Week

Indiana students to be recognized during essay contest ceremony today

National Agriculture Day brings awareness

USFRA Hosts Another Food Dialogue

Agri-Pulse Holds Successful Reception

USDA Celebrates 39th Annual National Ag Day - FSA Fence Post

What are you doing for Ag Day? | Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal

It's Ag Day! Does It Matter? | Farmer Bloggers

National Ag Day: Honored To Be Feeding A Growing World

National Agriculture Day, as seen in video and word by our youth

Consumers learning more about food production on National Ag Day

Spread the word about agriculture, former beef official says

Virginia Carolinas Peanut Promotions: National Agriculture Day

Under The Gold Dome: Thursday Quick Hits | State Bill Colorado

Celebrate National Ag Day

AgriMarketing.com - ACA Names National 2012 Ag Day Written...

Iowa Farm Bureau - Northey: Ag Day a great time to recognize ag's

Celebrate Ag Day, March 8! - News & Articles

Iowa celebrates leading the way on Ag Day | Ames Tribune

National Ag Day | WHOTV.com – Des Moines news & weather

FresnoStateNews.com | Students join National Ag Day campaign

Ag Day & Getting Ready for Spring - AgInfo.net

Waco: Farmers And Ranchers Celebrate Ag Day

Ag Day at Meredith

Texas FSA Celebrates National Ag Day

Crafty Garden Mama - Celebrate National Ag Day

Ag Day dialogue to address future of food and farming

Washington Week Ahead: Super Tuesday and an Ag Day celebration

North Central Texas Basic Ag Field Day and Expo April 27

Ag Day Breakfast. | The Field Position

Piedmont Soil & Water Conservation District » National Ag Day

Celebrate Wood County Agriculture Day — Ohio State University

2012 National Agriculture Day

U.S. Agricultural Success for 2011 Highlighted by National Ag Day

Twitter / Farmers & Ranchers: USFRA panel @Ag Day

Collins: Thank region's ag producers for benefits of their industry

SFP Celebrates Ag Day

Ag Day is every day for family

Savanna's big day

Nation's farmers, ranchers recognized

Ag Day offers chance to share story of agriculture

Breakfast of Champions

Wayne County dairy youth recognized

NATIONAL TEACH AG DAY CELEBRATED BY UIUC STUDENTS

Ohio agencies announce water quality measures | Ohio Ag Net

Downtown Jackson Photo Gallery | PHOTOS: National Agriculture

The Durango Herald 03/14/2012 | Celebrating Ag Day on March 8