AgWired

The Chairman of the Agriculture Council of America is Dr. John Bonner, CAST. During National Ag Day activities he was busy and had the pleasure to introduce the Essay Content winners. I’ll more on that in my next post. I spoke with him about ACA and Ag Day.

John says that ACA is having a great year and points out that all week is “ag week and all year is ag year.” He says that the events of National Ag Day bring in a lot of students who have been making visits with elected officials. I interviewed several of them and will be sharing those soon. John says that Ag Day is very important as a method to help educate the public about American agriculture. He also mentioned a new paper that was published this week by the Council for Agriculture Science and Technology that examines the importance of agricultural research. With all the talk about budget cutting in Washington, DC, that seems to be a timely publication. You can find it on the CAST website.

You can listen to my interview with John here: Dr. John Bonner Interview
2011 National Ag Day Photo Album

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We’ve got youth in agriculture here at National Ag Day from just about every organization you can think of including the FFA. Introducing our lunch speaker today was Victor Salazar, Connecticut FFA state president. He was introduced by Orion Samuelson and I’m thinking that alone made an impression on him. But then it was his turn to do the introduction and he did an awesome job. I’ve got his intro on the audio file you can listen to below.

U.S. Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK), Chairman of the House Ag Committee, thanked, “Mr. President,” which got a good chuckle since we were in the Capitol Bldg. He says the last time he came in third in a political contest was for FFA Reporter in Oklahoma once upon a time. He then talked farm bill and budget and says it’s going to be a tough year. He asked everyone to help educate members of the House who may not fully understand the business of agriculture.

You can listen Victor and Chairman Lucas here: Ag Comm. Chrm. Lucas Comments
2011 National Ag Day Photo Album

AgWired coverage of National Ag Day is sponsored by:
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The man with the voice no one will forget, Orion Samuelson, WGN, emceed the National Ag Day Mix & Mingle Luncheon today. I spoke with Orion before the program got started to get his thoughts on Ag Day and learn what we’ll be doing this celebrate American agriculture day.

Orion says that we’ve had Labor Day to honor labor in the fall forever and now in just the last 30 years we have a day to kick of the spring that celebrates those who work on our farms. Attendance here is at an all time high. It’s very appropriate that we’re having three meal time functions! After all we’re honoring those who put food on our table as well as on our backs and in our cars.

You can listen to my interview with Orion here: Orion Samuelson Interview

I now have a photo album started with all my luncheon photos. Thanks to the USDA “internet man” for his help! I’ll add to the album after tonight’s dinner too: 2011 National Ag Day Photo Album

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