It is nearly one of my favorite days of the year, National Ag Day! This year, on March 21st, the United States recognizes National Ag Day to bring attention to and celebrate the important role agriculture plays in our daily life. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced, value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy, appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products, and to acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, fiber and renewable resource industries.
Cities, organizations, and individuals across Wisconsin host events to celebrate this impactful day. From volunteer events to educational opportunities, there’s something for everyone. The State of Wisconsin also hosts Ag Day at the Capitol, this year on March 29. You can join farmers and agriculturists from across Wisconsin and learn more about state issues affecting agriculture, plus meet with your state representatives. You can learn more about National Ag Day at www.agday.org or more about Wisconsin’s Ag Day at the Capitol at https://wfbf.com/events/ag-day-at-the-capitol/.
Sharing the positive impact of agriculture isn’t limited to just one day or week! Agriculture education at all levels is important to help understand the impact agriculture has on us all. Starting this spring, the Alice in Dairyland program, with support from the Agriculture in the Classroom program of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, will be visiting schools across the state to share the importance of agriculture and Wisconsin’s specialty crops!
The Expedition Agriculture lesson will take 4th and 5th grade students on a journey across Wisconsin through a presentation that explores each region’s unique agriculture industry, and its role in the state’s history, economy, and communities. The presentation includes an overview of Wisconsin agriculture and concludes with a fast-paced, fun game that will introduce students to 13 of Wisconsin’s biggest agriculture products. Classrooms will receive additional activity materials to support a hands-on exploration of five additional agriculture products.
Utilizing a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the partnership aims to breathe new life into specialty crop lessons and educational materials. Wisconsin ranks in the top four in the nation for the production of a wide range of specialty crops, including cranberries, ginseng, potatoes, carrots, green peas, maple syrup, Christmas trees, and tart cherries. Other specialty crops produced in the state include honey, apples, mint, celery, lavender, and more.
I am excited to begin this new program geared towards our students, the future agriculturalists of Wisconsin!
— Taylor Schaefer is the 75th Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador who works with media professionals to educate consumers about the importance of agriculture to Wisconsin’s economy and way of life. She can be reached at taylor.schaefer@wisconsin.gov.
