Ag United News

South Dakota Fifth Grade Classes to Celebrate National Ag Week

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                           For more information:

March 8, 2010                                                                         Kelly Wubben 336.3622
 
                                                                                             kelly@agunited.org

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.-American agriculture provides the necessities of everyday life: food, fiber, clothing, and now fuel.  That's the message that farmers will share with South Dakota youth March 9 through 19 to celebrate National Ag Week, which is March 14 through 20.

A local dairy farmer and pork producer will help students understand how South Dakota's number one industry affects nutrition and food supply, as well as agriculture's economic, social, and environmental significance to all Americans.

"The impact on South Dakota's economy alone from agriculture is $21.3 billion," Steve Dick, Ag United executive director, said.  "And on a national scale, agriculture is America's number one export.  But it's still easy to take agriculture for granted.  We want to instill an appreciation for agriculture in our local youth, advance an awareness of South Dakota's contribution and promote agricultural literacy."

Ag United will do more than talk; they're providing a pizza party too.  During the visit, producers will help the students understand that the ingredients in the pizza are produced by farms, and also explain how those products are then processed and made into the pizzas that the students are enjoying.

Ag United, along with its coalition members, Paulsen Marketing, Associated Milk Producers and Land O'Lakes, will sponsor Ag Day pizza party events for fifth graders at Washington and McKinley Elementary Schools in Pierre, Buchanan and Madison Elementary Schools in Huron, Koch Elementary School in Milbank, Mellette Elementary School in Watertown, Longfellow Elementary School in Mitchell, Webster Elementary School in Yankton and Hayward and Robert Frost Elementary Schools in Sioux Falls.

"Ag Day provides a great opportunity for South Dakota agricultural producers to share the story of where food comes from," added Dick. "And for many of these students this is their first opportunity to learn about agriculture from actual producers."

An information booth on Ag United and Ag Day will be on display at the Washington Pavilion Saturday, March 20, 2010.

Each year, the National Ag Day program helps educate millions of consumers.  The Agriculture Council of America, organizers of National Ag Day, believes that every American should understand how food, fiber and renewable resources are produced, and value the essential role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.  National Ag Day focuses on educating Americans about the industry, so they can also consider career opportunities in food, fiber, and the renewable resource industry.

Ag United for South Dakota is a coalition of farm organizations with a goal of keeping family farms growing.  Coalition members include the South Dakota Cattleman's Association, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, the South Dakota Dairy Producers, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Pork Producers Council, and the South Dakota Soybean Association.  To learn more, visit www.agunited.org.

To learn more about National Ag Day, contact the Agricultural Council of America at (913) 491-1895 or visit www.agday.org.