The National Ag Day Photo Contest is designed to showcase the talents of young artists and photographers who share a passion for modern agriculture. A winning original photo will be chosen as the official 2017 National Ag Day poster. The contest is open to all amateur artists enrolled in college.

Students are to take an original photo that ties into the 2017 Ag Day Theme: “Agriculture: Food for Life.” All entries must be received at the Agriculture Council of America office by midnight CST, December 15, 2016.

Click here for more information on the 2017 Ag Day Photo Contest.

The 2017 National Ag Day is March 21. The Agriculture Council of America has revamped the website for this year. Take a look now at www.agday.org. Check back often for more details on Ag Day.

Ag Day Essay Contest:

High school students across the country are invited to enter the National Ag Day essay and video contest, sponsored by the Agriculture Council of America. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: Food for Life.” The Council’s objective is to celebrate agriculture and to help consumers better understand how farmers and the companies serving them produce abundant, healthy, nutritious, and safe food that nourishes our families and consumers around the world.

The 2017 Ag Day Essay Contest is divided into two categories of competition: written essay and video essay. Contestants are to compose an original written essay and/or video essay with limited guidance from adults, teachers or agricultural industry professionals.

All entries must be received at the Agriculture Council of America office by midnight CST, January 31, 2017.

Click here for more information on the 2017 Ag Day Essay Contest.

Ag Day Photo Contest:

The National Ag Day Photo Contest is designed to showcase the talents of young artists and photographers who share a passion for modern agriculture. A winning original photo will be chosen as the official 2017 National Ag Day poster. The contest is open to all amateur artists enrolled in college.

Students are to take an original photo that ties into the 2017 Ag Day Theme: “Agriculture: Food for Life.” All entries must be received at the Agriculture Council of America office by midnight CST, December 15, 2016.

Click here for more information on the 2017 Ag Day Photo Contest.

Today is the 43rd Annual National Ag Day! The Agriculture Council of America is celebrating American Agriculture with events in Washington D.C.! If you can’t make it to the Nation’s Capital to celebrate, we hope you can celebrate in your community or local NAMA Chapter!

For more information on Ag Day and to find local events, visit www.agday.org.

Happy Ag Day!

The 2016 National Ag Day is only two weeks away! The Agriculture Council of America is excited about all the events they are putting on this year in Washington D.C. See below for a complete schedule of all 2016 Ag Day activities. Hope to see you in D.C.!

2016 National Ag Day Schedule
Monday, March 14

Agri-Pulse’s Ag Day kickoff event in Room 902 in the Hart Office Building

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion – Farm to Fork Politics: How Sustainability is Reframing Food Production and Marketing
Speakers: Chris Policinski, President & Chief Executive Officer, Land O’ Lakes, Inc.
Dave White, Co-Founder and Partner, 9b Group
Rod Snyder, President, Field to Market
Gregg Halverson, CEO, Black Gold Farms

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Agri-Pulse Customer Appreciation Reception
Keep the conversation going! Join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres after the panel discussion.
Sponsored by Agri-Pulse
Free of Charge
Please register for Agri-Pulse events by March 1.

Tuesday, March 15

12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Mix & Mingle Luncheon
Venue: Room 106 in the Dirksen Senate Building
Emcee: Orion Samuelson
Speakers:
Senator Cory Gardner
Outstanding Young Farmer Honoree Chad Garone
Free of charge

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Celebration of Agriculture Dinner
Venue: Whitten Patio in the USDA Building
Emcee: Orion Samuelson
Speaker: J.B. Penn, Chief Economist, John Deere
Essay Contest Winner
Charles Eastin Award Presentation
This is a ticketed event. $150 per person or $1,500 for a reserved table of 10.

Click here to register for any or all of these events!

2016 National Ag Day Essay Contest

Agriculture Council of America Announces 2016 National Ag Day Essay Contest Winners

The Agriculture Council of America has announced the winners of the 2016 National Ag Day video and written essay contest winners. The winners were chosen based on the 2016 Theme:  Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet.

The theme presented an opportunity for students to address how the agriculture industry nurtures and protects the planet. Entrants chose to either write an essay and/or create a video focusing on how today’s growers are overcoming challenges to provide a safe, stable food supply while protecting the environment.

“CHS enthusiastically supports rural youth and is proud to showcase their ideas and initiative,” says Annette Degnan, marketing communications director, CHS Inc., one of this year’s essay contest sponsors. “The essay and video contests provide the perfect platform for their visions and dreams to be shared with a broader audience.”

The national written essay winner, Emily Dougherty from Greenwood, Indiana, receives a $1,000 prize and travel to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner held March 15 at Whitten Patio at the USDA. During dinner, she will have the opportunity to read the winning essay as well as join with industry representatives, federal agency representatives, media and other friends in a festive agriculture celebration. Video essay winner, Ayodeji Ogunlana from Mission, Texas wins a $1,000 prize. Both entries can be viewed online at www.agday.org/media/pr11.php.

This is the 43nd anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on agriculture and the food and fiber industry. The ACA not only helps consumers understand how food and fiber products are produced, but also brings people together to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

The Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., National Association of Farm Broadcasting and Penton Agriculture.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America and celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country. ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public’s awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.

Founded in 1973, National Ag Day encourages every American to:

• Understand how food and fiber 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.

Learn more and register for events at www.agday.org.

Deadline February 15, 2016

To recognize the contributions of the hundreds of volunteers and leaders in the agriculture, food and fiber communities who are dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in our society, the Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award will be presented to an outstanding individual who has contributed as an advocate for communications between farm and city.

—The nominee can be any person over 21 years of age.

—Current members of the Agriculture Council of America Board of Directors are not eligible.

—The person may be nominated by anyone active in agriculture.

—The completed application should be forwarded to the the Agriculture Council of America via email at [email protected] or submitted online at www.agday.org by February 15, 2016.

—A three-member committee, including at least one member of the ACA Board of Directors will judge the applications and select the recipient.

—The award will be presented at the National Ag Day Luncheon in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2016.

—The winner will be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses to attend the annual Farm-City event to receive the award including coach airfare or mileage for reasonable driving distance, 2 nights hotel room and a $50 per diem for meals and other expenses.

The Charles Eastin Outstanding Service Award is named in honor of Charles “Charlie” Eastin, DVM, who passed away at the age of 86 on January 28, 2011. Dr. Eastin played an important role as a board member of the National Farm-City Council for many years. He served as the 35th Chairman of the NFCC from 1992-1994 and through the years, has chaired and served on many committees. Through his efforts, Lexington, Kentucky hosted a NFCC National Conference in the early 1990’s. As chairman of the Rural Urban Committee, he worked to build and maintain collaboration between the Lexington Rotary Club and University of Kentucky to host activities to further National Farm-City Council goals during Farm-City Week every year.

Charlie’s passion and dedication will continue to inspire those who work on behalf of promoting a greater understanding between rural and urban folk. The award’s tradition continues with the acquisition of the Farm City Council by the Agriculture Council of America. The Agriculture Council of America is privileged to present this award in his honor.

Follow these links to view the Guidelines and to submit an application. 

The deadline for the 2016 National Ag Day Essay Contest is this week!  This year’s theme is “Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet” and the deadline is Friday, January 29, 2016. The contest is divided into two categories: the written essay contest and the video essay contest. Both are national competitions and there will be one winner for each category.

The national written essay winner receives a $1,000 prize and round-trip ticket to Washington, D.C., for recognition during the Celebration of Ag Dinner held March 15, 2016. During dinner, the winner will have the opportunity to read the winning essay and join with industry representatives, members of Congress, and many others in a festive ag celebration. The video essay winner wins a $1,000 prize, and the winning video will play during the Celebration of Ag Dinner.

The Ag Day Essay Contest is sponsored by CHS Inc., National Association of Farm Broadcasting, National Agri-Marketing Association and Penton Agriculture.

Click here for more information on the contest.

About National Ag Day:

This is the 43^rd anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on agriculture and the food and fiber industry. The ACA not only helps consumers understand how food and fiber products are produced, but also brings people together to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

The Agriculture Council of America will host several events in Washington D.C. this year; take a look at the 2016 Schedule of Events!

The ACA encourages everyone to get involved in National Ag Day. If you can’t make it to Washington D.C. to participate at the national level, there are many ways you can get involved with National Ag Day in your local communities. Visit the website to learn how you can get involved today.

Sponsorship:

National Ag Day would not be possible without the help of our sponsors. Thank you to all our 2016 sponsors! There are still sponsorship opportunities available, if you would like to get involved please contact Jenny Pickett, (913) 491-6500.