National Agriculture Day takes place on the first day of spring as a way to celebrate American agriculture and the farmers who help provide the food, fiber, shelter, energy and other materials we use on a daily basis. In honor of this special time of the year, the Agriculture Council of America is coordinating events in Washington, D.C. today to celebrate the importance of agriculture to America's economy and society.

"Fewer than 2 percent of our population is directly involved in production agriculture," says ACA Chairman and Minnesota farmer Gerald Tumbleson. "National Agriculture Day is a great time to create awareness of the significance that agriculture plays in our everyday lives."

Several events kick off National Agriculture Week, which is March 16-22, in Washington D.C. At this year's events various associations, corporations, universities and government agencies will gather in our nation's capital for a variety of activities that include a meet-and-mingle luncheon and a National Celebration of Agriculture dinner. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has been invited to speak at the luncheon, and Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer has been confirmed to speak at the dinner along with Dr. Pedro Sanchez, The Earth Institute at Columbia University and the CAST Charles A Black award winner. In addition, there will also be an FFA Rally in the afternoon.

"Through technological improvements, American agriculture continues to advance," Tumbleson says. "Environmentally-friendly production practices, products and methods that help with Unites States security and innovations in efficiency are all examples we are proud of and want the general consumer to know too."

The events in Washington, D.C. events are organized by the Agriculture Council of America, which 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.

Each year, the National Ag Day program gathers members of the agricultural industry in an effort to promote American agriculture. Focused on sharing how agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis, the National Ag Day program helps educate millions of consumers each year. For more information contact the Agriculture Council of America at (913) 491-1895.