WASHINGTON, March 10, 2012 – Key players shaping food and farm policy turned out in force this week in Washington, DC to help elevate awareness of and celebrate National Agriculture Day, March 8.
Events started March 7, with a U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance sponsored a National Ag Day Dialogue event during which a diverse group of panelists discussed the future of food and farming. To view that event: http://www.fooddialogues.com/agri-pulse-event
“It is so important that we have farmers and ranchers sharing what we are doing. How agriculture touches our lives is actually very broad….and essential to our country,” noted Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts, R-KS, were both on hand for an “Agriculture Appreciation Reception” sponsored by Agri-Pulse later in the day.
Roberts emphasized that “Putting food production in the right context is critical” and emphasized the importance of talking to people who think their food comes only from grocery stores.
To view photos from both the USFRA Dialogue and the Agri-Pulse reception, click:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimmcomm/6963419601/in/set-72157629190091534
All photos were taken by Chuck Zimmerman and are also posted on http://agwired.com/
A series of events highlighted National Ag Day on Capitol Hill, starting with coffee with USDA Chief of Staff Krysta Harden at USDA,
Lunch in the House Agriculture Committee’s meeting room with Ranking Minority Member Collin Petertson, D-Minn, and a dinner at USDA with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. To hear Peterson’s comments, click:
http://www.zimmcomm.biz/agday/ag-day-12-peterson.mp3
To hear Secretary’s Vilsack’s comments at the Ag Day Dinner, click:
To view Secretary Vilsack’s Ag Day Proclamation, click:
http://www.agday.org/nat'lagricultureday2012proclamation.pdf
Diane Gress, Shreve, Ohio was the 2012 Ag Day Video Essay Contest Winner. To view her winning entry, click: http://www.agday.org/media/pr7.php
Miriam Martin, Meadville R-IV High School in Bucklin, MO. was the Essay Winner. To view her winning entry, click: http://www.agday.org/media/pr3.php
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For more Agri-Pulse news, go to: http://www.agri-pulse.com/
