4 ways to celebrate National Ag Week
Did you know it’s National Ag Week? Here are four ideas to get involved this week.
March 20, 2018
National Ag Week is happening March 19-23, and today has been designated as the official National Ag Day. There are numerous celebrations, promotions and excitement happening all across the country that put ag in the spotlight. Here is a roundup of ways you can get involved this week:
1. Use the hashtag #SpeakAg
What are you up to on your ranch this week? For us, it’s fighting the snow and mud while calving cows and feeding hay. Despite the muck, it’s a great time on the ranch — newborn calves, flowing streams and the promise of spring just around the corner gives us plenty to post about. If you’re posting images or videos on your social media accounts this week, use the hashtag #SpeakAg to engage more consumers during National Ag Week.
2. Bring ag into the classroom
Today, I’m planning to attend a city-wide National Ag Day event at our local fair grounds. Farmers and ranchers bring in calves, sheep, horses, pigs, farm equipment, grains and more for different stations that elementary students can learn more about how each animal or commodity is produced.
READ: Recognizing outstanding agricultural educators
Even if you don’t have anything planned for today, now is a great time to contact your local school and schedule a classroom visit. Read an agricultural book or bring in a newborn calf. Don’t forget to check out these lesson plans from the National Ag In The Classroom website.
3. Contact your elected officials
Agricultural education is incredibly important, yet it’s becoming increasingly rare in schools across the country. The National FFA Organization encourages parents, students, producers and agri-businesses to contact state and local legislators and Congressmen in Washington, D.C., this week to discuss the importance of career and technical education classes in schools.
For talking points, click here.
READ: Advocacy isn't just a buzz word
4. Write a letter to the editor
Believe it or not, everyone in your community doesn’t necessarily know and understand what you’re doing on your farm or ranch. A letter to the editor talking about how agriculture impacts your local community would be timely and effective during National Ag Week. Consider writing your story and submitting it your community paper. Another idea would be to sing the praises of your local FFA teacher and what the area chapter has been up to lately.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, I hope you have a great National Ag Week! Cheers to America’s farmers and ranchers who work hard to produce food, fuel and fiber to enrich the lives of consumers here and abroad!
The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of beefmagazine.com or Farm Progress.
About the Author
You May Also Like