The nation’s capital looked a lot like rural America this week as farmers, organizations, and companies representing and serving farmers took to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to celebrate National Ag Day. National Ag Day, of which AGDAILY.com is a sponsor, serves as an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture across the United States, as well as the role ag plays in providing economic and food security to the nation.
“National Ag Day provides farmers with an opportunity to raise some of our key issues with policymakers and their staff in a fun and engaging way,” said Iowa farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington. “The event attracts everyone from people strolling the Mall to senators and leaders at USDA.”
Staff standing at the NCGA booth stayed busy talking with visitors. At one point, NCGA staff spoke with Robert Bonnie, USDA undersecretary for farm production and conservation, while curious tourists looked on and joggers breezed by. Congressional staff also walked over to the booth as U.S. senators spoke at various events and moved quickly to greet people at various places on the mall.
Farm equipment was placed strategically across the mall with people gathering around a John Deere combine with a backdrop of the Washington Monument, a tribute to a man who was no stranger to farm life.
“We meet with officials all the time here in Washington,” said Edgington. “But this event allows us to really share our story in a way that brings our issues to life with these folks.”
Multiple ag organizations and companies were represented at the nation’s capital including equipment companies like AGCO, Bridgestone, Case IH, CLAAS, DeLaval, GEA, John Deere, Kubota, Kuhn, Mahindra, New Holland, and Topcon. The farmers were represented by different agricultural groups including AgGateway, Agricultural Retailers Association, Alliance for Science, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Seed Trade Association, American Soybean Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Corn Refiners Association, CropLife America, Growth Energy, National Ag Aviation Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National FFA Organization, National Hemp Association, National Wheat Growers Association, North American Millers Association, Plant Based Products Council, The Fertilizer Institute, United Soybean Board, and USA Rice Federation.
National Ag Day has been held in the nation’s capital for 49 years.
