Hamilton County just celebrated its 37th Ag Day. A total of 2,000 second graders, parents, and teachers visited 10 educational displays including agricultural products and live animals March 7 to 9 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville.
Displays included information on corn, soybeans, wheat, beekeeping, soil and water conservation, drones in agriculture, and more. Animal production and animal by-products were explained with the use of beef, goats, horses, llamas, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and swine. More than 100 volunteers helped make presentations to the students and got them involved in hands-on activities.
The Agriculture Council of America will host National Ag Day on Tuesday, March 21. This will mark the 50th anniversary of National Ag Day. The theme for National Ag Day 2023 is “Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” This is a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of everyone. Many agricultural associations, corporations, students, and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.
Obviously, food and fiber don’t simply arrive at the grocery or clothing store or magically appear on your dinner table or in your closet. Everyone relies on agriculture for the necessities of life. From beef and pork to cotton and corn, agriculture is working harder than ever to meet the needs of Americans and others around the world. Each American farmer feeds more than 165 people, a big increase from 25 people in the 1960s. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.
“Since many Hamilton County residents are now three or more generations removed from the farm, Ag Day provides students with a close up, hands-on exposure to agriculture that they would not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience,” Program Assistant Lisa Hanni said.