National Agriculture Day
March 20, 2008

American agriculture is responsible for providing the necessities of everyday life ... food, fiber, clothing and even fuel. That’s the message of National Ag Day, when producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America will gather to celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture on the first day of spring.

The National Ag Day program is committed to increasing public awareness about American agriculture. As the world population soars, there is even greater demand for the food, fiber and renewable resources that the United States produces.

“We’re really seeing an expanded mission for grain growers,” states Donald Maring, President of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB). “Use of renewable resources in industrial applications, biodegradable plastics, and biofuels, can make a huge impact to the speed at which we deplete our fossil fuels. We need to produce crops that meet the demand for the new uses as well as our role of providing food for the world.”

“The MGPUB is investing in research to develop new varieties of grain that are better suited for these new uses,” continues Maring. “We recognize the need to balance production with protecting the environment, so are investing in research for improving farm management practices as well. After all, if we are not good land managers, we will be out of business and we all lose.”

The Agriculture Council of America, organizers of National Ag Day, believe that every American should understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced and should value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. They should appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products. National Ag Day will focus on educating Americans about the industry, so they may also acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, fiber and renewable resource industry.