Events Hosted to Celebrate National Ag Day

Several agriculturally-focused organizations held events in the nation’s capitol in conjunction with Ag Day 2015. On March 17, 2015, Sara Wyant, President of Agri-Pulse, led a discussion on Farm to Fork Politics: Unleashing Innovation in Agriculture. Panelists included:

• The Honorable Rodney Davis, R-IL, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture's Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research Subcommittee
• Bill Horan, Farmer and Chairman
• Paul Sauder, CEO, Sauder's Eggs
• David Fischhoff, Chief Scientist, Climate Corporation
• Ronnie Green, Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska

Following the panel discussion, guests at the event were treated to a special video tribute for Ambassador and former Agriculture Secretary Clayton Yeutter. The honoree received a standing ovation. Yeutter, a renowned trade experts and University of Nebraska alumnus, has made a $2.5 million leadership gift commitment to establish an international trade and finance institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

On Ag Day, the National Wheat Foundation hosted a Bagel Breakfast & Briefing on Innovation and the future of agriculture. Industry experts discussed important issues, including: biotechnology, sustainability, big data, research and advancements in modern agriculture.

In addition, a selection of photographs featuring women working in their various roles in agriculture, taken by Marji Guyler-Alaniz, President and Founder of FarmHer, was featured at the USDA. Marji Guyler-Alaniz is a native of Urbandale, Iowa, and has spent nearly two years documenting the important role that women play in agriculture throughout the U.S. for her long-term FarmHer project.

USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden hosted a Google Hangout with Dr. Linda Young, Chief Mathematical Statistician and Director of Research and Development of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, and Marji Guyler-Alaniz for a celebration of women farmers and ranchers.