National Ag Week is right around the corner, happening March 17th through March 23rd. During Ag Week, on Tuesday, March 19th, falls this year’s National Ag Day.
Announced by the Agriculture Council of America, National Ag Week celebrates and acknowledges the agricultural industry and the role it plays in our society. The week-long holiday celebrates the efforts and gives thanks to the individuals who work tirelessly to provide wholesome food, fiber, and renewable products to our nation. Agriculture provides millions of stable jobs that, in return, circulate money back into the economy. The backbone of our nation and economy is agriculture. And for that, it deserves a celebration.
A Proclamation on National Agriculture Day, 2023: “American farms remind us of the beauty and generosity of our Nation. They feed the country and the world, and with each new planting season, they embody that most American of things — possibilities. On National Agriculture Day, we celebrate all the farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, fishers, foresters, and other agricultural workers who do so much to make our Nation strong, fuel our economy, and steward our lands. America owes them.
There is a common spirit across America’s agricultural community: a respect for tradition, a drive to innovate, and a commitment to never giving up — even when the going gets tough.”
Agriculture provides nearly everything we eat, wear, and use on a day-to-day basis. Though, few too many understand the extent of the agricultural industry and its contribution to our lives. One American farmer feeds over 165 people each year, and as the population continues to grow, so does the need for agriculture.
With National Ag Day, the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) hopes to raise awareness about agriculture’s vital role in our society. The ACA believes that Americans need to understand the value of agriculture in their daily lives, and that ag education should be in schools. Beginning in kindergarten, students should be taught some systematic instruction about agriculture to understand its history and current significance in our society. These teachings will not only educate students about agriculture’s impact but also may drive more students to pursue a future career in the ag industry.
Agriculture offers more than 200 career opportunities. Only about 10% of Americans are involved in traditional farming, leaving approximately 21 million employees working in other agriculture-related fields. Some of these related fields include agribusiness management, horticulture, engineering, food science, and energy - just to name a few.
The increasing need for agriculture comes with an increasing demand for people to work within the industry. According to an employment outlook conducted by Purdue and USDA, there are over 59,000 estimated job openings each year for food and agriculture science graduates, making agriculture a secure career path option.
Ag Day is all about recognizing, celebrating, and promoting awareness of how agriculture contributes to our everyday lives. We can observe this day by further educating ourselves, hosting/attending events, volunteering in our communities, and sharing about agriculture on social media. If you are an agriculturist yourself, use your plethora of knowledge as a resource to educate and share with others.
Celebrating National Ag Day helps spread the true story of agriculture. Together, we can promote the industry that feeds us, clothes us, and keeps our nation going.
AgHires stands with the ACA and its mission to raise awareness about the importance of agriculture in today’s society.
Want to join the amazing and unique field of agriculture? Search thousands of agriculture, horticulture, and food production jobs at AgHires.com.