What is Agriculture?

Agriculture...what is it? Why do we care? It has its own day?

All questions we have probably thought at one point in time, and for some of us we may be wondering these very things currently. This week three FFA Chapters, the Virginia and Delaware State Officers, and many important agriculture stakeholders gathered in Washington, D.C., for the celebration of National Agriculture Day!

The first day I arrived in D.C. I was approached and asked about my "blue jacket" I was wearing. I responded "It is the FFA official dress; we are an agricultural education student organization." The next words out of the stranger's mouth were "What is agriculture?" What is agriculture - no way! Unfortunately, in today's world, many people have these same questions. This is why it is so important to be advocates for the food, fiber, and fuel that are this nation's number one industry - otherwise known as agriculture.

This week our FFA members met with their congressmen and women to spread the word of Agricultural Education. Tuesday we held an FFA rally in the Hart Senate building for commodity groups, legislators and their staff to attend. They had the honor to hear from our Star Finalists from all across the nation who made the trip out for this special day. Tuesday evening we attended an Agriculture Day Celebration dinner were we met the Secretary of Agriculture Mr. Ed Schafer. Wednesday each of my teammates and I had the chance to shadow different members of the USDA. Mr. Larry Quinn, with the USDA communications, was who I had the privilege to learn from this day, as well as his dynamic staff.

For many of us in FFA, we know that agriculture encompasses not only farming, but also the business, technology, and science of our earth. Yet, another common question is "why should we care?" Secretary Schaffer spoke at our dinner about the farmers in Iraq. He talked about how soldiers are helping the farmers there to plant seeds and cultivate the land in a sustainable manner so they can feed their people. When it comes down to it, agriculture is essential for all life - no matter where you are.

Let each day be a day we celebrate agriculture. Help others to understand what agriculture is and how it impacts them. So the next time someone asks you "What is agriculture?" take advantage of it!