Celebrate National Ag Day Today!

Every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America join together to recognize the contributions of agriculture in today’s society. This week is Ag Week, and today is Ag Day. I know many of you are celebrating America's farmers and ranchers as the week progresses. At South Dakota State University, my old classmates have organized a campus-wide event, handing out free t-shirts, hosting a speaker and a free meal, and setting up booths to answer questions other students may have about food production.

Today's agriculture is more accessible than ever before. Log onto Twitter or Facebook, and you can read updates from ranchers about calving season, moving hay, administering shots and doing chores. There is a new effort for producers to share their day-to-day tasks online, and it just makes food production more honest, transparent and accountable -- three things consumers want from farmers and ranchers. Without a doubt, the agriculture story is a great one, and National Ag Day helps to bring that story to life.

You can learn more about this week-long celebration of agriculture and National Ag Day here. Check out the National Ag Day blog here. Learn about how young people are sharing the agriculture story this week here.

Finally, let us know how you're celebrating National Ag Day this week. If this is the first you've heard about it, help spread the word. I know many of you are incredibly creative and have probably planned and organized something fun and educational to kick off the celebrations; share your stories and inspire others to follow your lead.

Happy National Ag Day, folks! Enjoy the festivities!