Importance of Ag: National Ag Day highlights the industry’s critical role in America
National Ag Day is an annual, nationwide effort to acknowledge and celebrate the important role agriculture plays in everyday life and the U.S. economy.
This year’s celebration falls on March 24, right after National Ag Week, which runs from March 15-21.
The importance of ag
The observance of National Ag Day was established in 1973 by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA), a nonprofit composed of leaders across the agriculture, food and fiber industries who are dedicated to improving the public’s understanding of how agricultural products are produced and why the industry is essential.
According to ACA, National Ag Day encourages Americans to understand food and fiber production, recognize agriculture’s
economic impact and appreciate the availability of safe, affordable products.
The national event also aims to build awareness of industry-related career opportunities for younger generations to keep American agriculture sustainable for generations to come.
“Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis, but too few people truly understand this contribution,” states the ACA website. “This is particularly the case in our schools, where students may only be exposed to agriculture if they enroll in related vocational training. By building awareness, the ACA is encouraging young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture.”
The website continues, “Each American farmer feeds more than 165 people – a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. Quite simply, American agriculture is doing more and doing it better. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the U.S.”
National Ag Day festivities
With the theme “Together We Grow,” the 2026 celebration aims to highlight the broad network behind America’s ag production and will include a multitude of local and national events held both online and in person.
To kick off the celebration, ag enthusiasts and industry officials will gather on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Whitten Patio in Washington, D.C. for Ag Day at USDA, featuring guest speakers U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
The event will also include discussions held by a student panel and a commodity group, as well as a video presentation of the national essay contest award winners.
Festivities will continue with the Farm Journal Foundation National Ag Day Celebration – including a planting ceremony, brief remarks from USDA officials and lunch – from 12 to 2:30 p.m. and the Taste of Ag Reception in the Kennedy Caucus Room from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
All events will be livestreamed free of charge through the Ag Day Virtual Event.
Additionally, prior to National Ag Day, AgriPulse will host its annual Ag and Food Policy Summit on March 23 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The day-long event will include discussion on a wide variety of market expansion topics, with an impressive lineup of speakers including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Dr. Julie Callahan and Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR).
Other speakers in attendance will include representatives from AFBF, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, National Milk Producers Foundation, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, American Egg Board, Cargill North America, U.S. Meat Export Federation, CoBank and Elanco, among many others.
Public participation
Whether attending a national event in Washington, D.C. or simply observing from home, ACA encourages all Americans to take some time during the week to celebrate ag.
Suggested daily activities include everything from preparing farm-to-table meals or contacting legislators about farm policy to sharing agricultural experiences on social media or volunteering in classrooms to teach students about agriculture.
Other recommended events include farm tours, classroom visits, agricultural fairs, petting zoos and commodity-based cook-offs. Some communities may even host National Ag Day breakfasts, farmers markets or public exhibitions to highlight locally produced goods and agricultural practices.
To help with these festivities, the ACA website offers planning guides and resources for individuals and organizations interested in hosting events.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
