Writer and naturalist Aldo Leopold is quoted as saying, “there are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.” With most Americans now three or more generations removed from the farm, finding ways to stay connected to agriculture is more important than ever. Since it’s not feasible for us all to live on farms, ag-vocates (agricultural advocates) work to build other ways for that connection to happen.
This year, on March 19, the United States recognizes National Ag Day to bring attention to and celebrate the important role agriculture plays in our daily lives. The National Ag Day program, conducted by the Agriculture Council of America, is dedicated to increasing the public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in our society. Cities, organizations, and individuals across Wisconsin host events to celebrate this impactful day. From volunteer events to educational opportunities, there’s something for everyone. You can learn more about National Ag Day at www.agday.org.
Opportunities to build that connection aren’t limited to just one day! Agriculture education at all levels is important to help understand the impact agriculture has on us all. The National FFA Organization and 4-H are two groups that aim to connect people to agriculture at a younger age.
My involvement in agriculture began when I was a Cloverbud in 4-H. Starting in kindergarten, I learned about agriculture through hands-on activities and met many amazing volunteers who were focused on my growth and success. In the third grade, I started showing and judging livestock through 4-H and continued building my connections within agriculture. Other project areas that I focused on included growing vegetables, photography, showing rabbits, and participating in foods projects. As a 4-H member, I also developed skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and perseverance through serving on club officer teams and attending community events to share more about the agriculture industry and how our food is produced.
Once I reached middle school, I became involved in another agricultural youth organization: the National FFA Organization. Otherwise known simply as FFA, this premiere youth leadership organization focuses on the personal growth, leadership skills, and career successes of its members. Through FFA, I participated in leadership development events to deepen my agricultural knowledge and public speaking skills. I also competed in career development events, such as Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management, to learn more about certain areas of agriculture. Since I love music, I was a member of the Wisconsin FFA State Honors Band and competed in the Wisconsin FFA State Talent Competition. Serving as a 2018-2019 Wisconsin State FFA Officer proved pivotal in my leadership journey as I promoted agricultural education across Wisconsin and met so many amazing people along the way. These experiences and skills in 4-H and FFA have provided a great foundation toward future personal and professional roles in my life, like serving as Alice in Dairyland!
Whether your connection to agriculture was formed as a child or is still being established, it’s never too late to become involved! A good place to start is finding a local National Ag Day activity that you can participate in this year, but you can also visit a farmer’s market, stop by a county fair, volunteer with 4-H or FFA, or call your local University of Wisconsin Extension offices to ask questions, get inspired, and connect to agriculture in your local community.
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