WASHINGTON, March 13, 2016 – Tuesday is National Ag Day, and Agri-Pulse will help kick off the event with a panel discussion on Capitol Hill tomorrow on “Farm to Fork Politics: How Sustainability is Reframing Food Production and Marketing.”
Panelists for the discussion, which will be followed by a customer-appreciation reception, include Rod Snyder, president, Field to Market; Chris Policinski, CEO of Land O’Lakes Inc., Dave White, co-founder of 9B and former NRCS Chief, and Gregg Halverson, CEO, Black Gold Farms. Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant will moderate the discussion.
Ag Day itself – Tuesday March 15 – begins in Washington with an invitation-only breakfast at the National Press Club, followed by a mix-and-mingle luncheon at the Capitol featuring Outstanding Young Farmers and members of Congress.
In the evening there will be a “Celebration of Agriculture” dinner at USDA headquarters where J.B. Penn, chief economist for John Deere, will be the principal speaker.
National Ag Day was organized by the Agriculture Council of America in 1973 for the purpose of increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.
Ag groups and associations are celebrating National Ag Day, too.
- Brian Reuwee, director of communications and marketing for Agriculture Retailers Association, told Agri-Pulse his group would be coordinating social media outreach with the Agriculture Council of America for Ag Day and attending and sponsoring Ag Day events.
- Patrick Delaney, director of policy communications for the American Soybean Association, said ASA’s board meeting would be held over Ag Week. Board members and staff will be in Washington, D.C., and on Capitol Hill Tuesday to talk with lawmakers about GMO labeling, TPP, transportation issues, including biodiesel, and some tax concerns.
- Ken Klippen, president of the National Association of Egg Farmers, said he would be attending the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention in St. Paul, Minn., this week, lobbying on behalf conventional egg production.
- Gwen Venable, vice president of communications for the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, said she would be distributing poultry and agricultural industry facts every day this week through the U.S. Poultry social media accounts to celebrate.
- Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Pat Roberts, R-Kan., will be celebrating Ag Day with Agri-Pulse as a speaker and as the presenter of the Doan Award, given for excellence in farm broadcasting, at Monday’s event. Meghan Cline, press secretary for the committee, said it would be promoting Ag Day on social media with a short video, as well.
- The American Agri-Women team will be sponsoring USAD’s Ag Day celebration, making rounds at Ag Day events in Washington, D.C., and teaming up with the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Educators and Communicators group. The groups will work together to raise 75,000 meals for Kansas families during the month of March through the “Neighbor to Neighbor Food Drive.”
- The Santa Barbara Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, one of AAW's affiliates, will be distributing the 2016 Ag Day poster to each member of the county Board of Supervisors and the Santa Maria City Council in celebration of Ag Day. The chapter will also host an event complete with a petting zoo with 4-H farm animals and take-home seedling packets for kids.
- The Western Nebraska Agri-Women will be providing Ag Day Materials, including coloring books and placemats, to children at a local restaurant. They will also be distributing Ag Day stickers in school lunches, which are projected to reach over 2,500 students.
- The United States Cattlemen’s Association is asking its members to share their “Ag Stories” – daily activities and happenings on the farm like this one – on social media this week. USCA President Danni Beer told Agri-Pulse that “any way we can capture the general public’s attention is a win for agriculture!”
- The U.S. Wheat Associates will be focusing its Ag Week social media messaging on export market development, Cuba, food aid, and general wheat facts, says Amanda Spoo, the association’s communications specialist. “Our overseas customers are very interested in learning more about U.S. family farms and what makes the wheat they buy from the United States a high quality, reliable choice. Because of social media, National Ag Day is not just a domestic celebration and learning opportunity, it is global,” Spoo told Agri-Pulse. USWA staff will also be volunteering with the National Ag Day student program.
- CropLife America will launch its #AgLoudAgProud initiative tomorrow to coincide with Ag Day. “This Ag Day, we call on every advocate of American agriculture to speak up both in person and through social media to show support for our farmers,” Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA, said. To join the conversation, use the hashtag on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social media now and throughout the year.
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