Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns addresses commodity groups at the National Ag Day luncheon in Washington, D.C., March 17. Ag Week raises awareness of the contributions of U.S. agriculture to the economy.

NCGA Emphasizes Importance of Agriculture to Economy During National Ag Week (03-21-05)

This week begins National Agriculture Week, March 20 - 26, giving Americans the opportunity to recognize the contributions agriculture has on the U.S. economy, notes the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

“National Ag Week gives growers and commodity groups an opportunity to educate consumers on the importance of agriculture and the producers who grow our food, fiber, and now fuel,” said NCGA CEO Rick Tolman. “U.S. agriculture is a strategic national asset; it is the basis from which this country was born, and as it has in the past, agriculture will continue to contribute greatly to solving the problems we face in our national economy.”

Nearly 22 million American’s work in 200-plus agriculture-related fields, producing food, fuel and fiber, among other products, Tolman noted. In 2004 corn producers contributed by harvesting
11.7 billion bushels of corn of which 10.9 billion bushels were used for everything from livestock feed to ethanol to corn-based plastic consumer items.

“As a nation, we face all kinds of challenges, such as globalization, energy security and supply, growing world population, environmental issues and a deterioration in health and social well,” Tolman said. “Yet these challenges create enormous opportunities to focus agriculture’s influence and its impact on imminent national priorities.”

Ethanol’s role in renewable energy is just one example of the solutions agriculture offers, Tolman said, noting that at a time when gas prices are setting new records, 85 percent ethanol-blended gasoline is currently 15 to 40 cents per gallon cheaper than regular unleaded gasoline.  

“All around the country, corn growers, farm bureaus and local agriculture organizations are participating in events and forums where growers are telling consumers about this agriculture’s positive impact in American’s lives.”