The Agriculture Council of America is hosting a photo and essay contest in preparation for National Ag Day, March 21, 2017. The theme for both contests is Agriculture: Food for Life.

Photo contest

The National Ag Day Photo Contest is designed to showcase the talents of a young photographer who has a passion for modern agriculture. The contest is open to all amateur photographers enrolled in high school or college. The deadline to enter the National Ag Day Photo Contest is Nov. 30, 2016. Contestants must meet all requirements to compete.

The essay contest is divided into two categories of competition: written essay and video essay. (Photo: James Woodson/Thinkstock)

The winning entry will be published as the official National Ag Day Poster and the winning photographer will receive $1,000 scholarship sponsored by Meredith Agrimedia. Photo and profile will be prominently featured in Successful Farming magazine and Ag Day correspondence.

Essay contest

The essay contest is divided into two categories of competition: written essay and video essay. Both are national competitions.

The contest is open to students enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Contestants must be a U.S. citizen and attending school in the U.S. Contestants must meet all requirements to compete.

The National Video Essay Winner will receive $1,000. The National Written Essay Winner will receive $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C., to be recognized at the Press Club Breakfast on March 21, 2017. The deadline for submitting entries in the essay contest is January 31, 2017.

Purpose

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.

Visit http://www.agday.org for more information on contest rules and entry forms and for information on National Ag Day in 2017.

Related: 'Agriculture: Food for Life' is theme of Ag Day 2017

Source: Agriculture Council of America