South Dakota farmers to meet with students

SIOUX FALLS – American agriculture provides the necessities of everyday life: food, fiber, clothing, and now fuel. That’s the message that farmers are sharing with South Dakota youth March 12 through 22 to celebrate National Ag Week, which is March 17 through 22.

A local dairy farmer and hog farmer will educate students on how they care for their livestock and help them understand how South Dakota’s number one industry affects nutrition and food supply, as well as agriculture’s economic, social, and environmental significance to all Americans.

“The impact on South Dakota’s economy alone from agriculture is over $20 billion,” said Steve Rommereim, Ag United President and Alcester farmer. “On a national scale, agriculture is America’s number one export. But it’s still easy to take agriculture for granted. We want to instill an appreciation for agriculture in our local youth, advance an awareness of South Dakota’s contribution and promote agricultural literacy.”

Ag United will do more than talk; they’re providing a pizza party too. During the visit, producers will help the students understand that the ingredients in the pizza are produced by farms, and also explain how those products are then processed and made into the pizzas that the students are enjoying.

Ag United, along with its coalition members, Associated Milk Producers and Land O’Lakes, will sponsor Ag Day pizza party events for fourth and fifth graders at Koch Elementry in Milbank, McKinley Elementary in Watertown, Webster Elementary in Yankton, Hayward and Fred Assam Elementary in Sioux Falls, McKinley Elementary in Mitchell, Explorer Elementary in Harrisburg, Robert Bennis and Brandon Elementary in Brandon and Valley Spring Elementary.

“Ag Day provides a great opportunity for South Dakota agricultural producers to share the story of where food comes from,” added Rommereim. “And for many of these students this is their first opportunity to learn about agriculture from actual producers.”

An information booth on Ag United and Ag Day will be on display at the Washington Pavilion Saturday, March 23, 2013.

Each year, the National Ag Day program helps educate millions of consumers. The Agriculture Council of America, organizers of National Ag Day, believes that every American should understand how food, fiber and renewable resources are produced, and value the essential role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products. National Ag Day focuses on educating Americans about the industry, so they can also consider career opportunities in food, fiber, and the renewable resource industry.

To learn more about National Ag Day, contact the Agricultural Council of America at (913) 491-1895 or visit http://www.agday.org.