On March 18, the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host two major events in the nation’s Capitol: the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner.

The events honor National Agriculture Week and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

The annual Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon will be held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but advance reservations are required. Approximately 50 student delegates from FFA, 4-H and AFA will be in attendance, along with Outstanding Farmer of the Year honorees. To register for the luncheon, visit http://www.agday.org/media/pr5.php.

The National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner will follow at the USDA Whitten Building Patio at 5:30 p.m. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been invited to speak. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at http://www.agday.org/media/pr5.php.

This is the 37th anniversary of National Ag Day (March 20, 2010), which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country and is part of National Ag Week (March 14-20, 2010).

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. 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.

The National Ag Day program 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.