Ag Day is Everyday #AgDay365

A few years ago I was advocating for some pro-agriculture legislation at the state level.  I wrote a blog about how great it would be for Oregon’s farmers and for our industry as a whole.   A friend of mine reached out and told me that she was confused about why I was working so hard at getting this passed at the state level, she thought my efforts were wasted because,

“We should save these state level fights for things that effect everyone, not just for farmers.  This is not an issue of statewide concern.” 

To say I was shocked was an understatement, so I took a deep breath and asked a few simple questions…when she last had a meal.  I asked what her clothes were made of.  I asked her to look around her and told her that Oregon agriculture employs 1 in every 12 of the people she sees.  I wanted to help her see that while only 2% of the population might be a farmer…farming reaches everyone, statewide and beyond!

Which is why I was so excited to see the new campaign that American Women in Agriculture launched this year.  Ag Day 365, showing how Ag Day is Everyday! The goal of this campaign is to show everyone how much our lives, all our lives, connect to agriculture.  It’s not just for us farmers out in the fields, farming touches the lives of every single person every single day.  Even for all my friends from Loyola Marymount University in LA, yes to all of you who only know one farmer, your lives are constantly being affected by farmers from all over the world.

If you want to learn more you can check out the website AgDay365, or feel free to follow along with #AgDay365 to see the many posts from farmers all over the United States.  Here are just a few of my favorites from some great advocates for agriculture…

Allowing people a look into what farmers face each and everyday is not an easy task.  It takes time and effort that goes beyond just trying to make your business survive to the next generation.  But in the end, groups like American Agri-women and our local affiliate Oregon Women for Agriculture are always helping the effort.  Please follow along and encourage others to as well.  Because while farmers are such a small number in people, there are a growing number of us who are trying to reach out and let everyone know what we are up to out in the fields, how we raise the food you eat, and share in some of the challenges and successes that make up what we are proud to call Oregon agriculture.

Author: Nuttygrass

I'm a nut and grass farmer, EMT, Firefighter, and world traveler. I love a good laugh and a great adventure! View all posts by Nuttygrass