Ag Day 2012 in Celebration of American Agriculture

2012 National Ag Day

2011-11-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

The date for National Ag Day 2012 has changed. The Washington, DC events will now be held on March 8 when all of congress is in session.

National Ag Day 2012

2011-07-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

National Ag Day 2012 is scheduled for March 13. Stay tuned to www.agday.org for more information as Ag Day gets closer!

Feeding the Future Through Modern Agriculture: Communicating the Benefits of Today’s Food Supply

2011-03-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Kerry Phillips, RD, International Food Information Council

If you’re a member of the food supply chain, chances are you've heard this statistic from the United Nations(UN):

“Food production must double by 2050 to meet the demand of the world’s growing population.”

Not only will food production need to double, but the increase in food output will have to come from the same land currently being farmed. And, as the UN points out, “70 percent of this additional food must come from the use of new and existing agriculture technologies.”

Whether you are a farmer, processor or manufacturer, this statistic may mean something different to you, but above all, it’s a call to action--Are we doing our part to communicate the benefits that modern agriculture provides in meeting the world’s food needs today and tomorrow? This is no easy challenge. While consumers tend to be very receptive when it comes to the latest electronic and mobile technologies, technologies applied to food are often viewed less favorably. However, research conducted by the International Food Information Council shows that consumers are most interested in benefits of food technology that apply directly to them and their families, such as improved nutrition, safety and taste. These consumer insights can help members of the food system to engage in conversation with the public and share how advancements in agriculture can offer these benefits.

Stakeholders are currently working together to get the word out about the benefits of modern agriculture. Efforts to address misperceptions about specific aspects of food production, processing and technology are now being augmented by a new umbrella network, the Alliance to Feed the Future. The Alliance is comprised of 43 member organizations (and counting!), including scientific societies, universities, and industry and commodity groups. The Alliance’s mission is to multiply the impact of messages that build understanding of food production and technology issues to balance the public dialogue on modern agriculture and large-scale food production. To learn more about the Alliance to Feed the Future, visit www.alliancetofeedthefuture.org.

Working to Preserve More of What Farmers Grow

2011-03-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Mike Baroni, Vice President, ADM

With a global population that is expected to reach more than 9 billion people by 2050, it’s clear the world is going to need more food and energy. Like many others in the agricultural industry, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) believes that agriculture can, and must, grow sustainably to meet these vital needs.

By making sure that crops are collected and processed efficiently and by employing innovation to make the most of every kernel, grain and bean we touch, ADM helps maximize the global harvest to meet the needs of our growing world.

Another way we are helping to make the most of the global harvest is through the recently announced ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss. ADM established this research center at the University of Illinois to help smallholder farmers in the developing world advance practical strategies to combat postharvest loss.

Taken together, our efforts may, over time, enable farmers in the developing world to improve their productivity, use more of what they grow, connect to global markets and improve their livelihoods. And at the same time, adding their increased output to global grain and oilseeds stocks could help the rest of the world meet its growing food and energy needs using land already in production, while making conscientious use of natural resources and protecting our environment.

After all, the most sustainable, environmentally responsible grain of all is the grain we don’t waste.

To learn more about ADM’s efforts to reduce postharvest loss, visit http://postharvestinstitute.illinois.edu.

National Ag Day 2011 Student Training

2011-03-14T10:31:00.001-07:00

Photo's from the Student Training for National Ag Day in DC are now available on Flickr at http://tinyurl.com/4swuagk.

Time For National Ag Day

2011-03-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

As we enter ag week let's look at the schedule for National Ag Day in the nation's Capitol.

Things will start off with an Agriculture Appreciation Reception hosted by Agri-Pulse this evening that features musical artist Michael Peterson. Then tomorrow morning we'll have the National Ag Day Coffee followed by the National Ag Day Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon. At the luncheon we'll have approximately 100 student delegates from FFA, 4-H, AFA and The Consortium in attendance, along with Outstanding Farmer of the Year honorees. Finally we'll have the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner, hosted by the Agriculture Council of America.

It's going to be a great day of celebration for American Agriculture. If you're tweeting or just want to follow the Twitter stream then use the hash tag, #natlagday.

Young People Preparing for a Career in Agriculture

2011-03-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Council for Agricultural Science & Technology 

Yep, that would be me, along with the other 29,299 students expected to graduate this year from a U.S. College of Agriculture. Sitting here thinking about the future, I notice a small paper hanging next to my desk at work. It bears the USDA emblem and 5 simple words, “Never Let Your Dreams Falter.” I look at it and think back to what it took to get me here today. 

It was mid-December, and the end of my first semester at Iowa State University. Just a few days prior I had responded to a posting on the college job board, and so here I was, walking to my interview. Google Maps told me it was just a measly seven-minute drive, a walkable distance I thought, especially for someone unfamiliar with the CyRide bus system. After covering two hills, five blocks, and nearly the entire ISU campus, I began to think I was set-up. It took me nearly an hour to cover that 3.1 miles in the dead of winter, but I made it, and got the job. On that first day at CAST (Council for Agricultural Science & Technology), I hung up a small symbol that reminds me still today to focus on the road ahead, and never let my dreams falter. 

My advice for students is to stay informed. You can’t “talk the talk” or “walk the walk” if you’re out of the loop. I encourage students to embrace social media and utilize their Facebook and/or Twitter to follow industry-wide news, and gain a voice by engaging in these thought-provoking discussions. As agriculturalists, it is critical that we are able to see both sides of an issue and distinguish fact from fiction. Knowing where to find credible information is key. Take the opportunity to join a professional organization, network with industry leaders and find unique internships. These sorts of experiences will help catapult you to the career you’ve always dreamed of.

Ag Day 2011: An Opportunity for New Leadership in Agriculture

2011-02-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Bill Lesher, Executive Director, The Global Harvest Initiative

We can all learn from the small group of farmers that came together in 1928 and formed the Future Farmers of America under the goal of preparing future generations to address the challenges of a growing population, roughly two billion at that time.

Fast forward to 2011—the year that global population will hit seven billion—and this goal is more important than ever. The 2011 Ag Day events in Washington, D.C., are a unique opportunity for young people to demonstrate new leadership in agriculture, and look ahead to make a real difference that will improve people’s lives and help alleviate hunger and poverty worldwide.

Today, the challenges of feeding the growing global population are significant. In fact, in the next 50 years, agriculture will be called upon to produce more food than in the previous 10,000 years combined! On top of that, we must accomplish this goal while freezing or shrinking the environmental footprint of agriculture, because we can no longer increase our use of land, water and other resources.

We must grow two blades of grass where one once grew.

The Global Harvest Initiative believes that by focusing on the important issues and encouraging young people to get involved in the agricultural solutions of the future, we can meet these challenges and provide food, feed, fuel and shelter for the 9 billion people projected to inhabit the Earth by 2050.

The Global Harvest Initiative is proud to support the 2011 Ag Day events and the opportunities they provide. Visit us online at www.globalharvestinitiative.org to watch videos, see the latest news clips and resources, and sign up to receive our blog posts, E-newsletters and event updates. You can also follow the Global Harvest Initiative on Facebook and Twitter.

See you in Washington, D.C.!

A New Age for Agriculture

2011-02-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Greg D. Horstmeier, Editor-in-Chief, DTN/The Progressive Farmer

Given the rapid pace at which business moves today, it’s no surprise that the technology used in the agriculture industry is evolving on a regular basis. From equipment used in the field to the methods used for buying and selling grain, the industry has seen considerable changes over the past couple decades.

Paper maps, notepads and rotary phones have been replaced by GPS guidance, smart phones and apps.

For more than 25 years, farmers have relied on technology from Telvent DTN to give them the latest in cash and futures market information, detailed weather and news events.

In the beginning, the company known as Data Transmission Network fed commodity markets and weather information through satellite-based terminals. Over time, that technology evolved and information was delivered to most farmers’ computers. Although the information was accessed via the Internet, farmers and agribusinesses had one option for buying and selling grain: an old-fashioned telephone call, which usually took place before or after the day’s work in the field.

Now, the new breed of agriculture professionals no longer need to be in front of their computer to track the latest market movements, weather forecasts or industry news. Critical business information can be obtained through mobile devices, including cell phones, smart phones, personal electronic devices and even iPads. With the touch of a finger, farmers can stay on top of information that has a direct impact on their operations.

In addition, farmers and agribusinesses are now engaging in more transactions through online portals. In 2010 alone, more than 113 million bushels were transacted through the Telvent DTN Portal™, nearly double the amount that was transacted through the portal the previous year.

As the agriculture industry continues to find new ways to optimize the way it does business to keep up with the demands from a growing world population, we celebrate the advances that have already been made in the field and the innovations that are still to come.

A Career in Agriculture—Preparing for the “Long Haul”

2011-02-16T07:08:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Emily Schneider, Agriculture Future of America

The career opportunities in agriculture are infinite. Interested in business? Marketing? Law? Product development? You can find all of these careers and more within the agriculture industry. After you decide you want to become part of the industry, however, what do you do next?

Today’s school of thought seems to imply to students that to get that job—the quickest way to get your foot in the door—is to fill your resume with activities, study abroad trips, internships and anything else that would set you apart from your competitors. All of these things are important, but once you land that “perfect job,” do you know what you need to do to succeed in the long run?

Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and Millennium Research recently conducted a study called the AFA Future Leader Preparedness Study. This online study surveyed students and decision-makers throughout the agriculture industry to discover similarities and gaps in the understanding of what it takes to succeed professionally. This was done with the intent to apply the findings to improve and validate core competencies within the AFA Leader Development Model.

What did those leaders in agriculture say they were looking for in potential employees? You might be surprised to learn that a high GPA, hands-on Ag experience and networking skills were almost at the bottom of the list. Industry leaders reported that above all, they value a self-starting individual who can think through problems with an outstanding work ethic. Why do you think industry leaders are looking for these things? Because they have seen that these qualities equal success—for the company AND for the employee.

To learn more about what these industry leaders look for in their future employees, view the AFA Leader Preparedness Study. Click here for more information about AFA and its programs.

Ag Day & The Teach Ag Campaign Team Up to Bring Awareness to National Shortage of Agricultural Educators

2011-02-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

Ag Day and the Teach Ag Campaign announced today that they are combining forces to celebrate two very important things - American agriculture and the need for more agricultural educators.

National Ag Day on March 15^th is about recognizing and celebrating the abundance provided by agriculture in the United States. One key to that abundance has been a steady supply of people choosing careers in the agriculture industry. Many people learned about those career opportunities in an agriculture program, whether at the high school level or beyond.

Agricultural educators not only expose students to opportunities in agriculture, they give those students the practical and academic skills they need to be successful – whether they’re going into the production, technology or science areas of ag.

However, agriculture programs are struggling to find qualified educators to fill open positions. National Teach Ag Day was started as a way for agricultural educators and advocates to celebrate the career of agricultural education and encourage students to consider a career in the field. This year, National Teach Ag day will fall on March 24^th, the week after Ag Day.

“We are excited about our alliance with Ag Day,” said Ellen Thompson, National Teach Ag Campaign coordinator. “It’s a natural fit. Agricultural educators are in the classroom every day teaching students about the amazing industry that is agriculture. Teach Ag Day is about promoting our own amazing career and helping more students choose to become agricultural educators.

The National Teach Ag Campaign is an initiative to bring attention to the need for more agricultural educators in the United States. It provides resources for those who wish to help promote the profession of agricultural education as well as for those who are interested in learning more about a career in agricultural education. It is led by the National Association of Agricultural Educators. The campaign is sponsored by Landmark Nurseries and the CHS Foundation as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, and also by Delmar Cengage Learning.

To learn more about the career of agricultural education, visit www.naae.org/teachag.

Rep. Frank D. Lucas Announced as Luncheon Speaker

2011-02-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

Representative Frank D. Lucas (OK) has been confirmed as the speaker for the Mix-n-Mingle Luncheon on March 15, in Washington, DC. To register for the luncheon visit http://www.nama.org/agday.htm.

Check out the other Ag Day Activities happening in Washington, DC on March 15 at http://www.agday.org/media/pr2.php.

Ag Provides Sustainability for a Rapidly Growing Population

2011-02-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Barry E. Nelson, Media Relations Manager for John Deere

I was recently contacted by National Geographic about a year-long special series on the impact of the global population growing to 7 billion by the end of this year. This surprised me because I knew there were 6 billion people in the world – but now, very quickly, this will rise to 7 billion by the end of the year!

Click here to view a short YouTube video from National Geographic on this population growth.

I thought it was a good sign that a major consumer publication was highlighting the challenges of a rapidly growing population, and how we will provide food, fuel, infrastructure and services to 9 billion by the year 2045. And, we must do this sustainably with less land, water, fertilizer and other inputs.

This year, we will celebrate Ag Day in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 15th. There has never been a more urgent need for everyone in agriculture to pull together to help promote the great accomplishments of production agriculture.

In the past 10 years, farmers have increased yields while using less land, water, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and other inputs. They have been the experts on sustainability (before sustainability was a popular topic) and producers have learned to bring greater efficiency in providing safe, healthy food to a growing population.

But this is not good enough! By 2030, grain producing land per capita will drop to just one-third of what it was in 1950. Water needs will be 17% higher than water availability. Larger government agencies around the world will have more regulations and restrictions on how to produce food, fiber and fuel. More people will live in cities than rural areas and they will be further removed from the rural culture of our forefathers.

We do have a solution for all of this! It is based on good science and agronomy, capitalizes on the strength of free enterprise and global trade, and focuses on advancements we are making daily with innovation and new technology.

From the equipment side, we are building smarter machines that run more efficiently, cover more acres in less time with less fuel, and wirelessly communicate with operators, farm managers, dealers and ag consultants. Tractors, combines, sprayers and other self-propelled machines are communicating back to producers and dealers on their overall performance and proactively warn of any performance problems through remote diagnostics.

The overall cab environment on equipment is more comfortable and, through GPS, can steer automatically through the field with greater accuracy and less fatigue for the operator. The large, comfortable cabs have truly become “field offices” where operators can multitask with smart phone, wireless technology.

Add to this all the innovations in seed technology, fertilizer and crop protection products -- and the ability to deliver these inputs with great accuracy -- the producer of the future will be up to the challenge of feeding 9 billion people.

Our job now is to make sure government officials, national and state leaders, and consumers are aware of the challenges of population growth. We must all work together to develop long-term strategies to feed and fuel the world of the future.

We invite everyone in the Ag Industry to participate in the Washington, D.C., event on March 15th. Click here for more details.

We also encourage you to have your own local event on that day … or any time that week to promote Ag Day to your own customers and communities.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any board member of the Ag Council of America. Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Celebrate an Amazing Ag Day!

2011-01-31T08:58:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Ag Day’s official blog.

A place dedicated to conversations about the challenges of getting the real story of American agriculture before consumers … the creative ways ag leaders are engaging with the public … and what lies ahead as producers face an increasingly global economy.

Use this space to share your observations and comment on the posts that will be updated at least once a week.

The blog will be moderated so keep it clean! And please always be respectful and professional (of course).

We would love to hear how your organization will be celebrating Ag Day this year. How are you involving your community? What about youth initiatives?

This blog is a great place to get ideas and learn what your peers around the country will be doing to celebrate the abundance of American agriculture.

We also hope you’ll help us spread the word about Ag Day by sharing the blog on your social media networks. Please link to posts that get you thinking or entries you think your colleagues would like to chime in on.

Ag Day is March 15, 2011. Visit our blog space frequently and be a part of the celebration!

2011 National Ag Day Essay/Video Contest

2010-11-18T08:05:00.001-08:00

2011 National Ag Day Essay/Video contest announced visit http://www.agday.org/media/pr4.php for more information or visit http://www.hpj.com/agdayessay/ for contest rules.

Milk Mustache Mobile Tour Visits DC during National Agriculture Week

2010-03-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

The National "got milk?®" Milk Mustache Mobile Tour made a stop in Washington, DC, during National Agriculture Week as part of its "Milk the Moment" Tour, which is crossing the country from March to September to help celebrate those special moments that families share around the dinner table and show moms that serving milk at dinnertime is an easy, and affordable, way to help make sure their families get the nutrition they need.

Traveling to 75 cities nationwide, the “Milk the Moment” Tour features a variety of fun and educational activities for the entire family. The tour also offers moms a chance to share how they “milk the moment” at dinnertime for a chance to win an unforgettable family dinner experience with Milk Mustache celebrity and chef Tyler Florence

“Milk the Moment” To Win The Milk Mustache Mobile “Milk the Moment” Tour has taken to America’s streets to encourage families to set the dinner table with naturally nutrient-rich milk. This year, the tour will help celebrate family dinners and invite moms to share how they make the most of time together around the table. Do your kids pour each family member a glass of milk? Or does your family do a milk toast to start off every meal? Event attendees can enter the national “Milk the Moment” contest by sharing how they “milk the moment” with their family for a chance to win a trip to San Francisco to have a family dinner with the latest Milk Mustache celebrity and chef Tyler Florence.

To enter, attend a Milk the Moment Tour event in your area or if you can’t make it to the event, visit whymilk.com to enter and for official rules.

Family Fun Activities
Also, as a partner of this year’s tour, the NFL and the National Dairy Council’s (NDC) Fuel Up to Play 60 program will offer kids the opportunity at each event to participate in a fun, dinner-themed football toss activity that teaches kids the importance of getting enough exercise and eating right. The youth-led program empowers children and teens to take charge of their health and work with school leaders to create more opportunities for 60 minutes of daily physical activity and to make more healthy foods available. Also, residents who stop by the mobile tour have a chance to win great prizes and experience free, interactive activities including: an interactive display that puts milk head-to-head with other dinnertime beverage choices, milk samples, and Milk Mustache photos.

Helping Those In Need Build Strong Families
You can also help families in need by passing a virtual gallon of milk to friends on Facebook. Event attendees can pass a gallon on-site at special computer stations, but you also can help by visiting Facebook.com/MilkMustache. For every virtual gallon passed, $1 will go to Feeding America, up to $100,000. Feeding America is the country’s largest network of food banks that serves more than 37 million people facing hunger in this country. For more information on the importance of serving milk at the dinner table and the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign, visit whymilk.com, fan the tour on Facebook at Facebook.com/MilkMustache or follow them on Twitter @MilkMustache.

Michigan Teenager Submits Winning AgDay Essay

2010-03-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

Christine Vanek, a high school student from Ann Arbor, Mich., was chosen the 2010 winner of the annual AgDay Essay Contest. Vanek, who presented her winning essay at Thursday evening's AgDay dinner in Washington, DC, received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her presentation. As winner of the contest, she also was awarded a $1,000 check. The annual AgDay Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., Country Living Association, Agriculture Council of America,
High Plains Journal,National Association of Farm Broadcasters, McCormick Company, National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). What follows is the text of Vacek's winning essay.

As we drive west with the setting sun through the last miles of Iowa, I stare out my window in awe. The fields stretch uninterrupted to the horizon, and the sky is a beautiful abundance of fading blue. I know that I am almost home.

Although my family lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, our roots are anchored deep in the Nebraska soil. My appreciation for the importance of American agriculture comes from my experience out at my grandparents' farm. I remember as a small child riding in the tractor with my grandpa as he disked a field in preparation for planting, folding the old corn stalks from last year's crop into the dirt. I remember going along with him one fall in the combine, fascinated at the machine's ability to get the ears off the stalk and the corn off the ears, shooting the kernels into the storage space and spitting out the unusable remainder.

At the age of seven, my mind could not grasp the abundance that is American agriculture. I could not comprehend the space of even one field, which itself was granted my awe. At seventeen, I have come to admire the work that my grandfather and all American farmers do. It is thanks to the abundance of American agriculture - from the corn, soybean and wheat fields of the Great Plains to the expansive fruit orchards in the South - that I, along with the rest of the country, have access to a wide variety of affordable, safe, nutritious foods.

I am thankful as well for the affordability of agriculture in America. My ancestors came to America less than two hundred years ago to escape forced service in the Czechoslovakian army. They did not have a large amount of wealth, but due to the affordability of American agriculture, they were able to build a small house and begin their own modest farm. Living frugally and working the land with dedication, they built up a life and livelihood for themselves in America.

I am a product of American agriculture, and I can testify to its greatness. This spring, I was walking to the pivot in the field on my grandparents' farm, when I stopped to tie my shoe. As I stood back up, I looked at the scene around me, taking it in in a way I hadn't while I was walking. I have experienced no more perfect a moment in my life than standing there with the sun warming my back, looking out at that vast, intensely blue sky with the deep green corn plants stretching for miles beneath it.

Merrigan and Lincoln Address Thursday's AgDay Dinner

2010-03-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan and U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, addressed a sold-out crowd at last-night's AgDay dinner at the USDA's Whitten Hall.

Lincoln and Merrigan stressed the importance of ending child hunger and obesity. Merrigan noted that more than 18 percent of American children live today in food insecure households.

In response to this issue, Sen. Lincoln this week introduced the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, a bipartisan, fiscally responsible bill making the largest investment in federal child nutrition programs to date.

Lincoln’s bill provides $4.5 billion in new child nutrition program funding over 10 years, which is a significant increase over previous efforts. The highest previous increase was $500 million over 10 years.

Both leaders mentioned the importance of increasing consumer understanding of production agriculture and the U. S. food system. Merrigan also cited the Agency's commitment to creating pathways for youth to repopulate and reinvigorate rural communities, as well as the Administration's commitment to growing domestic markets and creating additional demand for exports of agricultural products.

Lincoln reported the Senate has worked hard to quickly approve the Ag Disaster Bill, noting that disaster assistance must be provided in a timely manner. She also mentioned the Administration's focus on increasing exports -- noting several pending trade agreements including opening trade with Cuba.

Well-known agricultural broadcaster Orion Samuelson served as emcee for the evening's festivities.

Straight From the Farmer--Technology is Key to Bright Agriculture Future

2010-03-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

Less than two percent of America’s population is actively engaged in farming. Yet, the agriculture industry is the most productive in history. In fact, each U.S. farmer produces enough food to nourish more than 150 people.

Today’s farmers are engaged in agriculture because they want to be. And if you ask Brent Johnson, a 36-year-old farmer from Manson, Iowa, there’s no more exciting place to be today than on the farm.

A fourth generation farm family, Brent and LuAnn Johnson operate Labre Acres, which includes 900 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa, and a small cow-calf beef operation. They also operate Labre Crop Consulting, which works with farmers across Iowa to incorporate precision farming technology into their operations for more detailed record-keeping and production efficiencies.

“When my grandfather switched from horses to tractors in 1956, I would imagine he thought agriculture production could never get any better than that,” Brent says. “And today, I feel the same way. With satellite technology, auto-steering, biotechnology, and variable rate application capabilities, I can't even imagine what’s coming that will make things even better than they are today. “

In preparation for coming back to the farm, Brent earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Iowa State University. After graduation, he spent nearly 10 years working in corn research and production in the seed and crop protection industries before moving back to the farm.

As an agronomist, Brent has a keen understanding of the importance of caring for the land, as well as the proper care and feeding of plants once they have been planted in the soil.

In fact, Brent believes that farmers were at the forefront of the green movement before “going green” was even considered cool.

“We live on the land. It is part of our lifestyle. Farmers have done more to protect and conserve the land by developing terraces and waterways than any other segment of the U.S. population. And people just don’t understand that,” Brent says. “We work hard to employ the best technology and management practices we can to ensure that we can be successful with proper placement and reduced applications of fertilizer and pesticides.”

Brent also says he is concerned that so few people have a realistic understanding of agriculture and farmers. “This is not a fairytale existence – agriculture is a business. I’m worried that we have people trying to decide the future of agriculture who do not understand or respect how far this industry has come since the 1950s. We cannot be as efficient without modern technology. Without it, the industry moves backwards. And that way of thinking won’t feed the world.”

Brent believes the way to increase the understanding between farmer and consumer is through education and communication. That’s why he and LuAnn are in Washington, DC, during National Agriculture Week visiting with members of Congress about agriculture’s promise and the hope modern technology can bring to the global food system.

Brent and LuAnn are participating in National Ag Day Festivities today on Capital Hill and at the USDA, as representatives of John Deere’s Outstanding Young Farmers of America group.

“We’re here on behalf of many young farm families around the country,” Brent says. “We are honored to represent these farmers and will do our best to make sure their voices are heard in the discussions about the promise modern agriculture holds in feeding the world.”

Youth Key to Keeping Rural America Vibrant

2010-03-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

More than anywhere else in the country, rural America provides tremendous opportunities for youth to make a difference. That's what U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told more than 150 students and agriculture professionals gathered at the USDA this morning to kick-off AgDay celebrations in the nation's capitol.

In his remarks, Secretary Vilsack noted that despite their extraordinary efforts through history and today, American farmers and ranchers receive little credit, like an Oscar or Olympic gold medal, for their efforts in producing the world's food supply. In noting these efforts, Vilsack noted that in 1950, the average farmer fed only 20 people. Today, each American farmer and rancher feeds more than 150 people, and they have assumed much greater responsibility for generating food for the world while often having to rely on off-farm income to survive economically on the farm.

To protect the viability of the 21st Century farm, Vilsack says the USDA must expand its focus to address more of the struggles faced in rural America. Some of the areas of focus include:

Continued expansion of agricultural exports and domestic use of agricultural products -- he noted that tremendous opportunities exist in the country's ability to convert agricultural products into energy, for example.
Increased connections and understanding between farmers, consumers and the food they eat. He noted the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" program as one example of how the USDA was hoping to connect consumers to farmers, and bolster rural economies.
Promoting hunting and fishing on conservation acres in rural communities. Vilsack noted that when hunting and fishing enthusiasts visit rural areas, they provide an economic boost to rural communities.
Continued exploration of ecosystem markets to address the world's changing climate.

Consider a Career in Agriculture - - The Choices are Amazing!

2010-03-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

By Kent Schescke, FFA Foundation

While farming is possibly the oldest and most well-known agricultural career, more than 300 career opportunities exist in today’s agriculture, food and natural resources sector. Those jobs can be organized in the following categories:

Food Products and Processing Systems
Plant Systems
Natural Resource Systems
Animal Systems
Environmental Service Systems
Agribusiness Systems
Biotechnology Systems

More than 7,400 middle and high school agricultural education programs and FFA chapters exist in schools and communities across the United States to help young people explore, discover and prepare for agricultural career opportunities. What follows are some fast facts about agricultural education today:

Education of students in urban, suburban and rural areas
34% from urban and suburban areas
39% from rural, non-farm areas
27% from rural farm areas
16 of 20 largest U.S. cities have FFA chapters
Changing demographics of membership
39% female (hold 50% state leadership positions)
85% Caucasian, 11% Latino, 4% African-American

The agricultural education community is focused on growth and quality as the future of agricultural education. In fact, our goal is to accelerate GROWTH in education by providing greater access to Ag Ed and FFA by exponentially growing the number of programs in communities not yet served by Ag Ed and FFA, thus assisting students to prepare for opportunities in agriculture, food and natural resources industries.

By strengthening the QUALITY of personal, academic and career education programs in agriculture, we will raise the bar on student achievement in existing Ag Ed and FFA programs.

Accomplishing these goals will require lots of motivated new agricultural education instructors and teachers. Do you have a knack for working with young people? If so, we encourage you to consider Agricultural Education as a major and work toward a career an agricultural education instructor.

It's Important to Know About Agriculture

2010-02-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

Here are just some of the key reasons why it's important to recognize - and celebrate - Ag Day each year:

Everyone has to eat! Increased knowledge of agriculture and nutrition allows individuals to make informed personal choices about diet and health.
Informed citizens make informed policies. Informed policy-making will support a competitive agricultural industry in this country and abroad.
A strong ag economy generates jobs! Employment opportunities exist across the board in agriculture. Career choices include:
- farm production
- agribusiness management and marketing
- agricultural research and engineering
- food science and technology
- food processing and retailing
- banking and finance
- education
- landscape architecture and forestry
- biofuels and biotechnology
Because agriculture touches each person on the planet, a general understanding for its practices is necessary and beneficial for everyone to know -- not just for the people who produce the world's food supply. We like to call this understanding agricultural literacy, which includes knowledge of agriculture’s history as well as how current economic, social and environmental issues affect all Americans.

How Do We Weather This Perfect Storm?

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As Haiti continues to struggle with its recovery from a recent devastating earthquake, the country now faces the real danger of missing its major spring agricultural growing season if farmers are unable to secure the necessary seeds, fertilizers, equipment and resources needed for planting. In addition, the United Nations reports that Haitian farmers also are in dire need of livestock feed and animal vaccines.

While Haiti relies on international aid for about 50 percent of its food supply, its agricultural industry is considered vital to the health and welfare of its people. If farmers miss the crucial spring planting season, the country will become completely dependent on international food aid to feed its devastated county.

According to a recent report by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)* approximately one billion people in poor countries today don’t receive enough dietary energy, and another one billion don’t get enough protein, fat, important minerals and vitamins. Growing global food insecurity is just one of many factors that that folks at CAST believe are converging to create a “perfect storm” in global food and agriculture.

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 our world’s rich natural resources. As citizens, it’s our job to fund and support research and development to feed disadvantaged populations. Their productivity, livelihoods, and, most importantly, their lives, depend on it.

*Full disclosure: John Bonner, executive director and CEO of CAST, is a board member of Agriculture Council of America.

Opportunities Abound for Agriculture

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Contributed by Barry Nelson, Manager, Media Relations, John Deere

I just celebrated my 30th year with John Deere and it has been a challenging and rewarding career with a great company. I started in 1980, just before difficult times hit agriculture and I spent my first few years in the field assisting dealers and farmer customers. We came out of the '80s stronger than ever and U.S. agriculture continues to thrive even during the current recession. I firmly believe the farming culture and values of hard work, integrity and personal responsibility are major reasons for success in agriculture, even in this uncertain economy. Farmers are planting, growing, harvesting, and producing food for the world. There is no doubt they are critically important to America’s economic strength and resilience.

I also am extremely positive about the future of agriculture and know that we have many challenges in providing the essential food, fiber, and fuel to a growing world population. Currently, the global population surpasses 6 billion. By 2050, the population is expected to grow to 9 billion people! Our challenge will be to feed this growing population while becoming more efficient with land, water, inputs and all the resources necessary to produce food. We have the resources, the technology, and the know-how to get this done -- better than anyone else in the world!

In addition, there are larger global issues of food sustainability, hunger, and human suffering that impact us all. We, in agriculture, must not only produce high-quality food, but we must also assist third-world countries in developing their sustainable agricultural systems. The recent devastation in Haiti and the recurring drought, instability and hunger issues in Africa are perfect examples of this. Here are a couple of quotes from leaders in our industry.

DuPont's Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman states, "Agriculture is a game-changer that can mitigate multiple global issues - hunger, poverty, environmental degradation, poor nutrition and subsequent effects such as civil unrest."

And, David Everitt, President, Deere & Company , says, "Ignoring this looming (food) productivity challenge or not acting quickly enough has perilous risks that should not be underestimated. At its most basic, it means additional human suffering through hunger and malnutrition. Beyond that, it means widespread social turmoil and unrest that undermine the political stability of large parts of the world – not to mention eroding our own national security."

Now this is quite a challenge and, quite frankly, an urgent call to action for all of us. As a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and a board member for the Agricultural Council of America (ACA), I have had the tremendous opportunity to meet some of the best communicators and marketers in the agricultural business. As an industry, we should leverage this talent and work together to deliver a clear, focused message about the importance of agriculture. This is even more critical today when there are more challenges from government, rising input costs, limited resources, and volatile commodity prices.

The ACA will host the annual Ag Day event in Washington D.C. on March 18th and will meet to celebrate and promote the importance of agriculture to leaders and influencers in D.C. We believe the public has the opportunity:

• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced

• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy

• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry

Please join us in Washington D.C. to promote this important message or participate locally by having an Ag Day event. There are many promotional ideas and media tools on the Ag Day Web site. Let's circle the wagons and put our expertise together in promoting the importance of agriculture. Our future and our children's future depend on keeping this industry strong and vibrant!

Some Background on National Ag Day

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Each year, since 1973, National Ag Day is celebrated on the first day of Spring with the purpose of providing special recognition of the food and fiber industry’s contributions to America. This special tribute builds unity in the food and agricultural communities. It also educates the non-farm public about the industry.

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and the American National CattleWomen (ANCW) were responsible for planning the first National Agriculture Day in 1973.

Since 1979, The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) has coordinated the National Agriculture Day celebration in Washington, D.C. With the help of countless individuals, companies and organizations throughout the country, ACA provides the resources and information for local events that coincide with the Washington festivities annually.

And America's farm families are amazing. And because so many people today have no connection to agriculture, they don't have the opportunity to realize just how amazing the depth and breadth of our food supply really is.

For instance, many believe family farmers no longer dominate farming.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), 98 percent of American farms are still family-owned, family partnerships or family-owned corporations.

Interested in testing your Agriculture IQ?

Take the AFBF's short quiz to see how your knowledge of agriculture stacks up.

Agriculture is the Backbone of Our Country

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"Trade increases the wealth and glory of a country; but its real strength and stamina are to be looked for among the cultivators of the land." - William Pitt

It is amazing to realize how agriculture impacts our lives. Food and fiber products play a major role in each part of our lives and without them we would perish. Our country would perish. This isn’t a new revelation – William Pitt had it figured out centuries ago.

Farmers and ranchers are independent business people who provide for their families and the rest of us by growing and producing food and fiber. Like almost any industry you can think of, farmers have used technology and innovation to increase the quality and quantity of the products they produce. Consider this -- in the 1960s, one farmer supplied enough food for about 26 people in the U.S. and abroad. Today, that same farmer supplies food for more than 144 people in the U.S. and abroad. Wow.

Research and advancements in biotechnology provide consumers around the world with tastier fruits and vegetables that stay fresh longer and are not damaged by insects. Innovations in plant breeding and biotechnology have also made is possible to enhance fruits and vegetables with additional nutritional value, which is very important in bolstering the diets of adults and children in third-world countries where nutritious foods are not plentiful.

When consumers expressed a need for meats lower in fat and cholesterol, America’s farmers and ranchers answered the call with retail cuts 15 percent more lean, giving consumers better value for their dollar. For example, pork tenderloin now has only one more fat gram than a skinless chicken breast. And much leaner beef cuts are now 27 percent less fat than in 1985.

Farm equipment has evolved dramatically from the team of horses used in the early 1900s. Today, farmers use satellite maps and computers, in addition to state-of-the art tractors and implements to match seed, fertilizer and crop protection applications to local soil conditions, which boost crop yields and vastly increases production efficiency. These practices also significantly lessen agriculture’s carbon footprint by allowing farmer to produce more on fewer acres using a precise amount of inputs based on specific conditions.

And despite the technological advancements, American consumers spend less on food – about 2% of their disposable income -- than any other developed country in the world.

The cultivators of our land are the backbone of this country. They deserve our appreciation and respect. And that’s why it’s important that we set aside one day each year to celebrate the work of America’s farmers and ranchers. Please join us in the celebration!

Welcome to the brand new Ag Day blog.

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We’re glad you visited and hope you come back often. You’ll find the latest updates about Ag Day 2010 and enjoy an entire spectrum of views about American agriculture.

This blog is a conversation. So please use the comments section to chime in and share your thoughts or suggest ideas for future posts. All we ask is that you keep it respectful and clean please.

If you like the conversations taking place here and want to help spread the word about Ag Day and our celebration of American agriculture, there’s a lot you can do:

Link to us from your own blog or website
Share this blog through Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
Tell your friends and colleagues about us and encourage them to visit

American agriculture truly is Abundant. Affordable. AMAZING.

As important as agriculture is in our everyday lives and our culture, it’s also often misunderstood and taken for granted. We are lucky to live in a world where our farmers make it possible for us to not to think twice about having enough food, having fiber for clothes and having resources for common things like paper, furniture and cars that are just magically there.

Ag Day is a time for pausing and saying thanks for the bounty our farmers produce. Taking a minute to understand—and appreciate—where it all comes from.

So again, thank you. And please invite your friends, family and co-workers to join our celebration of American agriculture.

Until next time ...