The Agriculture Council of America hosted events in Washington, DC, March 12, to kick off the 2009 National Ag Day/Week celebrations. The events marked 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 participated.

The annual Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon was held at the Cannon House Office Building. Approximately 50 student delegates from FFA, 4-H and AFA were in attendance.

The National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner followed the luncheon at the USDA Whitten Building Patio. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, was the guest speaker for the dinner. In addition, the 2009 Ag Day Essay contest national winner, Kelly Kohler, read her essay on the theme “Agriculture – Every Day in Every Way.”

“This year, the theme, Agriculture – Every Day in Every Way, was a great way to show how important agriculture is to everyone,” said Linda Tank, vice president for CHS Inc. “Kohler’s essay highlighted the many areas of agriculture that people encounter on a day-to-day basis.”

To read Kelly Kohler’s winning essay visit http://www.agday.org/media/09natlwinrelease.pdf.

This was 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).