We Love Farmers, Not Just on National Ag Day | by Shannon Peterson

When you’re a farmer, every day feels like Ag Day. But this week it’s official. National Ag Day is Wednesday, March 18. There are celebrations and events going on around the country to recognize your contributions.

At Valley_®, we’re proud to work with growers around the world; growers who play a vital role in feeding the world and sustaining future generations.

According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, farmers will become even more important as the world population is projected to increase 40 percent by 2050.

Right now, only 20 percent of the world’s croplands are irrigated, but that irrigated cropland produces 40 percent of the global harvest. Plus, yield on irrigated farms is 100 to 400 percent higher for most crops.

These figures make it clear that growers who irrigate make an even greater difference. 

Thank you for all you do for me, my family, my colleagues, for Valley and for the future.

So, why are you proud to be a farmer? On National Ag Day, turn to social media and tell the world why you are Agriculture Proud. Use #AgProud and #AgDay2015 on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. And search those hashtags to see what others are saying.

I also found a couple Facebook pages worth checking out, to see how much farmers are appreciated:

• 2015 National Agriculture Day with #AgProud
• I am Agriculture Proud

If you find other sites or blogs, share them with us in the comment section below.

And, while we're talking about appreciation, here are a couple other ways to spread the love.

Monsanto’s Farm Mom of the Year contest is accepting nominations through March 31. 

• Do you know an amazing farm mom? One who works tirelessly to support her family, farm, community and the future of agriculture? Nominate her for a chance to win a $10,000 grand prize here.

Valent is sponsoring the Relentless Spirit of the American Farmer contest, which could earn your local community $1,000. 

• Share your story or the story of your neighbor, your family member or friend. What makes this person relentless? How has their determination and drive shaped who they are and how they farm. The deadline is March 21. Learn more and submit an entry here. 

Through the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, your local public school district could win a grant to enhance its math or science programs.

• Nominate your school district to apply for a $10,000 or $25,000 grant here by April 1. Nominated school districts can then submit grant applications through April 15.

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Shannon Peterson Marketing Content Editor Shannon joined Valley Irrigation in 2013. She writes and edits materials about irrigation equipment. Shannon enjoys traveling with her family, particularly to national parks, and she occasionally writes about her travels for tourism magazines. She also likes trying new restaurants, seeing movies, and watching Husker football and Creighton basketball.

Here’s to Agriculture – National Ag Day | by Brooke Stover

National Ag Day is about appreciating the role that agriculture plays in our world today. Agriculture provides us with food, jobs, and clothing – I, for one, am very thankful for all three of these. (Life would sure be weird without them.)

When it comes to the things we rely on to live, you can’t build something out of nothing. And agriculture requires many “somethings:” hard work, dedication, knowledge, and a whole lot of other stuff that could take days to list.

I have witnessed the hard work that goes into agriculture, whether it happens in the field or in an office. Many behind-the-scenes jobs play a role in the production of our essentials. So I think it is important that organizations bring awareness to agriculture.

Tomorrow, March 25, the Agriculture Council of America hosts National Ag Day to remind us of the contributions agriculture makes to our daily lives.

There is a lot of recognition deserved by those who fuel our lives, so here’s to agriculture and the people behind the word. They deserve thanks for their commitment to supplying the world with food, jobs, and clothing.

Interesting facts from AgDay.org:

Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family. (This one changed my life a little, just like when I found out tomatoes are a fruit.)

Michigan and New Jersey produce 66 percent of all the blueberries in the United States, followed by North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington. (As I write this, I am hoping Michigan also produces the most success in the March Madness tournament this year – that may save my bracket.)

Pasta made its way to the New World through the English who found it while traveling through Italy. The English made pasta by cooking it for about a half an hour and then smothering it with cream sauce and cheese. This was the beginning of macaroni and cheese! (Thanks for carbs, founders of the new world.)

Each American farmer feeds more than 144 people. (This one is just awesome!)

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Brooke Stover Global Marketing Coordinator Brooke has been with the Valley Irrigation Global Marketing department since 2011. She spends her free time taking pottery classes; though she thoroughly enjoys this, most of her stuff is a bit lopsided. Brooke also loves to read and listen to Frank Sinatra. She enjoys traveling and has been to 19 countries with the goal to make it to six more in the next two years!