It’s easy for Americans to take our agricultural abundance for granted. And it’s no secret that fewer and fewer Americans understand the scope and diversity of American agriculture. Especially younger Americans, whose only exposure to agriculture comes from the song "Old McDonald." That’s why the National Ag Day celebration and "America’s Largest Classroom on Agriculture" are working to help students discover ways they interact daily with agriculture and explore careers in the food and fiber industry.

American agriculture celebrated its first National Agriculture Day in 1973. Since the beginning, Ag Day has been a chance for the general public to say "thanks" to the hard working men and women of agriculture. In 1999, Ag Day included "America’s Largest Classroom on Agriculture" so that consumers young and old could celebrate and understand the modern agricultural industry and learn of the scope and diversity of our nation’s largest industry and employer.

Since Ag Day’s inception, the program has worked to secure strong, broad-based support among agricultural organizations. These include American Agri-Women, Women Involved in Farm Economics, State Farm Bureaus, State Departments of Agriculture, agriculture equipment dealers, the National Association of Agricultural Educators, the National FFA Organization, 4-H, Agriculture in the Classroom and the National Agri-Marketing Association.

More than ever before, National Agriculture Day’s success is due to the cooperative spirit of the industry. "Largest Classroom" avoids re-creating the wheel by showcasing the stars of agriculture and agricultural literacy. "Largest Classroom" works with existing agricultural groups to distribute educational materials, these include Ag in the Classroom, the National FFA Organization, Project Food, Land & People, 4-H and the NAAE.

National Agriculture Day may be the first day of spring each year, but "America’s Largest Classroom on Agriculture" is spotlighting American agriculture every day of the year. "Largest Classroom" is making agriculture a year-round theme by shining the spotlight on existing year-round ag literacy efforts, The web site along with "Largest Classroom" educator kits are geared to help participants discover how agriculture is everywhere, touches everyone…in almost every way; everyday of the year.

We are building an army of volunteers to celebrate agriculture year-round. Currently, the Agriculture Council of America is working with the leaders of agriculture to further the impact of "America’s Largest Classroom on Agriculture." In addition, "Largest Classroom" is gaining greater recognition and support among farmers and ranchers. More farmers and ranchers are using the resources to share the spirit and message of American agriculture. A dramatic example of this was our increased participation in 2000; participating farmers and ranchers have increased from 15 percent of program volunteers in 1999 to 28 percent in 2000.

In just two years, "Largest Classroom" has made wonderful strides. The industry-wide effort has grown from 300,000 participants in 1999 to more than 1,000,000 in 2000. And we have started to make a difference. Thanks to the distribution of the educational materials and the visits to the official Web site, www.agday.org, students, educators, volunteers and general consumers are now able to share the spirit of American agriculture with friends and family. That means that if each of our 1.3 million participants told just five people about their experience with agriculture, we’ve touched more than 6.5 million people in just two years.

Without your support, America’s children will never know the importance of agriculture. We encourage your participation in this national push to recognize American agriculture during the first week of spring and throughout the year. If you are just learning about us or a long time supporter, thank you for your participation in the National Ag Day celebration. Individuals like you significantly contribute to the overall success and impact of "America’s Largest Classroom on Agriculture."

If you would like more information or request posters commemorating the celebration of agriculture, please contact the Agriculture Council of America toll-free at (888) 98-AGDAY or via e-mail at info@agday.org.

Sponsored by AAVIM – Represented by Von Peavy (middle in photos below)