A Salute to American Agriculture

March 23, 2007 - National Agriculture Day is celebrated each year on or around the first day of spring. It is a time to celebrate American agriculture and honor the people who work within this diverse and vast industry.

Representing more than 22 million people who work in the nation's agriculture industry, hundreds of Americans convened in Washington, D.C., on March 15 to celebrate National Agriculture Day 2007. This year's Ag Day theme -- "Convergence of Food and Fuel" -- was designed to highlight the scope of American agriculture, an industry that puts food on our tables and fuel in our cars.

To kick off the day, Secretary Mike Johanns, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Chairman Collin Peterson of the House Committee on Agriculture spoke at a luncheon about how American agriculture is rising to the challenge of producing both food and renewable fuels. Improving technology on the farm and along the processing chain is helping meet the growing demand for crops used to produce renewable biofuels, animal feeds, foods and food ingredients.

Ag Day launched National Agriculture Week (March 18-24), which is designed to raise awareness among Americans of the importance of U.S. agriculture in the stability of our economy and in providing food and fuel to the world. According to USDA, each American farmer now feeds more than 129 people around the globe.

All Americans are asked to enjoy and admire the wonders of American agriculture as National Agriculture Week concludes. Celebrate the dedication of men and women in American agriculture and take the time to re-discover the role agriculture plays in everyday lives.

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