On March 12, 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 kick off National Agriculture Week and mark a nationwide effort to recognize the importance and contribution of agriculture every day in the lives of Americans. 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 Cannon House Office Building at 12:30 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. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is the Invited Speaker. To sign up for the luncheon visit http://www.agday.org/lunchrsvp/index.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/dinner/index.php.

This is the 36th anniversary of National Ag Day (March 20, 2009), which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country and is part of National Ag Week (March 15-21, 2009).

If you are planning to host an Ag Day Event and would like some helpful ideas, visit the Ag Day web site at www.agday.org or if you would like to order Ag Day Materials, visit, http://payment.nama.org/agdayorder.htm or call the Agriculture Council of America at 913-491-1895 to order.

Join the Agriculture Council of America and NAMA in celebrating National Ag Week, March 15-21 and National Ag Day, March 20, 2009!