INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, March 16, 2015/National FFA Organization) - This week, 36 state FFA officers will gather at the nation's capital to celebrate National Ag Day. This is the 42nd anniversary of National Ag Day, which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country.
Organized by the Agricultural Council of America, events during Ag Day mark a nationwide effort to tell the story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is all around us. Those expected to participate include producers, agricultural associations, corporations and student and government organizations involved in agriculture.
Goals for the day include encouraging Americans to understand how food and fiber products are produced; to appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products; to value the role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and to encourage people to consider career opportunities in the industries of agriculture, food and fiber.
"Agriculture plays a key role in all of our everyday lives," Kent Schescke, director of government and nonprofit relations for the National FFA Organization, said. "FFA is pleased that we can play a role in helping others know the importance of agriculture, especially during the National Ag Day program."
FFA members, along with students from 4-H, Agriculture Future of America and Student NAMA (The National Agri-Marketing Association), will take the message of the importance of agriculture and agricultural education to Capitol Hill and visit their congressional leaders.
FFA officers who are participating in the event include : Matthew Smith of Russellville, Ark.; Jessy Stanavage of Colchester, Conn.; Abrah Meyer of Ankeny, Iowa; Mackenzie Lewis of Ankeny, Iowa; Willow Krumwiede of Pittsfield, Ill.; Andrew Klien of Amboy, Ill.; Jacob Mueller of Trafalgar, Ind.; Derek Berkshire of Trafalgar, Ind.; Darilyn Browning of Taylorsville, Ky.; Jenell Eck of Henderson, Md.; Alexandria Schut of Belding, Mich.; Ethan Haywood of Hastings, Mich.; Brady Wulf of Starbuck, Minn.; Morgan Walkup of Gower, Mo.; Claire Silvers of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; Hailey Clark of Carthage, Miss.; Tyler Presley of Ripley, Miss.; Allie Nelson of Great Falls, Mont.; Anthony Scala of Raleigh, N.C.; Joseph Jenkins of Stony Point, N.C.; Benjamin Rice of Firth, Neb.; Manuel Catala of Brentwood, N.H.; Maria Suzanne Daneault of Alton, N.H.; Kyle Fisher of Hancock Bridge, N.J.; Benjamin Wainwright of Cream Ridge, N.J.; Sydney Snider of Moscow, Ohio; Ellen Minihan of Brandon, S.D.; Nick Baker of Cookeville, Tenn.; Elena Smith of Drummonds, Tenn.; Zach McMeans of Austin, Texas; Katie Holt of Austin, Texas; Zach Jacobs of Swoope, Va.; Brittany Bowman of Blacksburg, Va.; Megan Miller of Bonney Lake, Wash.; Maya Wahl of Lind, Wash.; and Alison Wedig of Darlington, Wis.
The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.
About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.
