Milk Maid
On Tuesday, March 20, most people probably tried to celebrate the first day of spring. It was difficult to get in the spirit with all the snow that was falling. March 20 was an important day for another reason.
It was National Ag Day. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the nutritious and delicious foods provided by agriculture.
Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across the United States of America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture.
Ag Day is usually celebrated on the first day of spring. National Ag Day falls during National Ag Week, March 18-24, 2018.
President Trump acknowledged the “tremendous work ethic, ingenuity, determination, and perseverance that define generations of American farmers,” in an issued proclamation for National Ag Day.
The Agriculture Council of America hosts the campaign on a national level. However, the awareness efforts are nation wide.
This is the 45th year that National Ag Day has been recognized.
President Trump’s proclamation cited important economic notes:
•Every $1 of United States agricultural and food exports creates another $1.27 in business activity.
•U.S. agriculture exports are valued at more than $100 billion, and every $1 billion in exports supports about 8,000 American jobs.
•Agriculture contributes to at least 8.6% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Pretty neat statistics that help drive home why it’s important to celebrate National Ag Day.
Here’s one more. The average U.S. farmer feeds more than 165 people per year. In the 1960s, that average was 25 people. American farm families are doing more, and doing it more efficiently than ever before.
One of the ways the Mascot is recognizing National Ag Day in our paper is by having a nice spread honoring it on page 5. Other ways people celebrate National Ag Day is by holding educational opportunities in classrooms and college campuses, guest public speakers, visiting with political leaders and so much more.
A group of members from the Lyon County Farm Bureau and Marshall FFA, including my brother Grant, visited the Minnesota Capital on Tuesday and where able to meet with state leaders.
Their goal was to visit with those leaders, especially the urban leaders, and hold meaningful discussions about the importance of agriculture in Minnesota.
For me, everyday is “Ag Day”. I’m so very blessed to be involved in agriculture.
Everyday is an adventure, especially when you live on a farm. There are many days where it can be extremely stressful, but when you witness a newborn calf take their first breath, chuckling at watching your chickens cross the road (actually the driveway, but it still is funny) or when you sit down to a home cooked meal using ingredients you grew, that stress can fade away.
Besides three meals everyday, I have so many reasons to be thankful for agriculture and for living in area that is deeply passionate about agriculture and our agricultural roots.
Dairy farming runs deep in my family. We are proud of the care our animals receive and of the wholesome, delicious milk they produce. Dairy farming isn’t a job to us, it’s our lifestyle.
The next time that you sit down to enjoy a delicious meal, take a moment to think about all the work that went into growing that meal and the people behind the products.