Educa t i o n
Celebrate Agriculture 7 ag-focused ways to get involved
From the food on your table to the clothes on your back, agriculture provides a variety of things you eat, wear and use daily. Those items don't magically arrive in the New River Valley at the store or in your home. National Ag Week is March 22-28, with National Ag Day on Tues., March 24. It is organized by the Agricultural Council of America [ACA] whose core values are that every American should: • Understand how food and fiber products are produced. • Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products. • Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. • Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry. 30
NRV MAGAZINE
The New River Valley is near and dear to the heritage of agriculture and farming. In 1925, four educators at Virginia Tech organized the Future Farmers of Virginia (FFV) which served as the model for the national organization Future Farmers of America (FFA), established in 1928. Each American farmer feeds about 165 people, according to the ACA, which is composed of leaders in agriculture, food and fiber industries dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture's role in modern society. Learning more about the industry can allow individuals to make more informed choices about everything from their diets to legislation. In honor of the 47th annual National Ag Day with the theme "Food Brings Everyone to the Table," these activities that can help kids and adults learn more about how the agriculture industry impacts daily life.
Make a Farm-to-Table Meal Making a meal together is an easy activity for spending quality time with the entire family, and you can turn it into a learning experience and opportunity to talk about where food comes from by combining seasonal produce like asparagus, peas, oranges and lemons with ingredients Virginia is known for such as peanuts, tomatoes, apples and grapes. Research Agricultural Issues From climate change and protecting air, soil and water to feeding a growing global population and using technology to improve food production, there are many issues facing the agriculture industry. To be more aware of what the future may hold, learn more about some of the challenges that farmers face.
March/Apri l 2020
