Tuesday, March 19, was National Agriculture Day with the theme, “Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.”
The celebration includes virtual and in-person events nationwide, and in Luverne, “Ag Day” became “Ag Week” at the Rock County Library.
Library staff teamed up with Rock County Farm Bureau members and local ag businesses to celebrate agriculture.
Monday was “Farm Show and Tell” as well as Ag in the Classroom activities.
Tuesday featured a farm scavenger hunt and “See a Tractor,” courtesy of Titan.
Wednesday is Movie Day with snacks provided. The 4 p.m. show for kids is “Hatched,” and the 6 p.m. movie for grownups is “Temple Grandin.”
Thursday will be “Farm Play” and “Ag in the Classroom” activities all day with a featured 6:30 p.m. guest reader (meet a veterinarian).
Friday will feature “See a Tractor,” courtesy of C&B Operations, and a 10:15 story time with a guest reader farmer and special farm animal guests.
Celebrating agriculture and encouraging ag education is important, according to the USDA Economic Research Service.
The agency reports more than 22 million full- and part-time jobs were related to the agricultural and food sector, or roughly 10 percent of all US employment.
On-farm jobs represented about 2.6 million jobs, or a little over one percent of U.S. employment. Take that a step further, agriculture- and food-related jobs totaled more than 19 million.
“More and more, students and individuals are finding careers in agriculture,” said Jenny Pickett, president of the Agriculture Council of America.
“The industry needs scientists, biologists, food safety technicians, livestock nutrition specialists, arborists, conservationists — one doesn’t have to be a farmer or have a direct on-farm job to be involved in the agriculture industry.”
National Ag Day this year marks the 51st year of the nationwide effort to increase the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society.
“From the food we eat and the fuel for our vehicles, to the fiber in the clothes we wear, and the oil used to make kids’ crayons, agriculture touches everyone in some way,” Pickett said.
In addition to celebrating Farm Week at the Rock County Library, Picket encourages citizens to:
· Understand how food, fiber, and fuel products are produced.
· Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products.
· Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
· Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.