Celebrating National Ag Week Food brings everyone to the table
Published on March 28, 2020
There are 2.1 million farms and ranches scattered across 914 million acres of America’s rural landscape, 99 percent of which are family-owned and operated.
These farming and ranching families make up only two percent of the world’s population and the ag products they produce make up one percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. On average, one farm or ranch in the U.S. can feed 166 people around the world.
From Alaska, which accounts for over 60 percent of the commercial seafood industry, to Florida, which produces 65 percent of the nation’s citrus, the U.S. is home to a vast array of high-quality agriculture.
National Agriculture Week recognizes the farmers and ranchers who work tirelessly to provide Americans the food, fiber and fuel they use on a day-to-day basis. The weeklong celebration is devoted to educating people about the abundance provided by American agriculture and culminates on Wednesday, March 24 for National Agriculture Day.
This year marks the 47th anniversary of the celebration, which is hosted by the Agriculture Council of America. The theme for National Ag Day 2020 is “Food brings Everyone to the Table.”
As the world faces uncertain times in the wake of coronavirus, there is an even greater demand for the food, fiber and renewable resources produced in the United States.
The National Ag Day program believes every American should understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced, value the essential role of ag in maintaining a strong economy, appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the ag, food, fiber and renewable resource industries.
In a proclamation on National Agriculture Day, President Donald Trump said, “As our nation continues to face the unique challenge posed by the coronavirus pandemic, we pay tribute to the unbelievable strength of America’s agricultural producers as they once again answer the call to feed our country and the world. On National Agriculture Day, and now more than ever, we salute and honor the men and women who contribute daily to our national prosperity.”
“I encourage all Americans to observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in our daily lives, acknowledging agriculture’s continuing importance to rural America and our country’s economy and expressing our deep appreciation of farmers, growers, ranchers, producers, national forest system stewards, private ag sectors and those who work in the agriculture sector across the nation,” President Trump continued.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said, “Our farmers, ranchers, foresters and producers in America are feeding and clothing the world. Now, more than eve,r it is important that the American people not forget that. Our farmers are resilient and during these uncertain times, they are still working, day in and day out to produce what is needed for our growing population. I challenge the American public to keep our farmers, ranchers and producers on their minds – for all their work to provide us a safe, healthy and abundant food supply. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”
The Roundup would like to thank our readers far and wide for submitting photos of their farms and ranches to celebrate National Ag Week.
Hannah Bugas is the assistant editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
