Mike Pearson tells listeners how the idea of National Ag Day came about and why it is important.

Over 50 years ago, the Agriculture Council of America created the idea of National Ag day in the spring of 1973.

The Agriculture Council of America (ACOA) was looking for a way to highlight the importance of agriculture for the public that was increasingly disconnected from what was happening on the farm.

The ACOA set out with the core values of teaching America to understand how food and fiver were produced to the role that agriculture provides a safe and abundant food supply. Plus, to show how important agriculture is to the overall economy and to encourage non-agriculture folks to consider a career in the industry.

These goals were taken to where the smallest number of farmers are in this country-- Washington, D.C. ACOA feels you need to meet people where they are as more farm policy is created and impress upon them how agriculture impacts everyone.

So for 51 years, the ACOA has hosted a series of events in Washington, D.C. and across the country on National Ag Day to engage with those who don't think much about agriculture outside of the grocery store.

U.S. Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack was addressing a crowd in celebration of National Ag Day in Columbus along with the American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall to update everyone on what is happening in agriculture. There will also be a chance to get farm policy updates and a look ahead for ag. Plus, it will be Ag Day on the HIl where people can take their ag issues directly to their legislators.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.