Agriculture Highlighted at Capitol Hill April 14

The first day of spring, March 20, is National Agriculture Day and Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed "Agriculture Day" in Tennessee as well. And, to keep our state's citizens reminded about the importance of agriculture in our state and "spring fresh" on the minds of our Tennessee lawmakers, the General Assembly will celebrate "Ag Day On The Hill" on April 14 with agriculturally conducted festivities to be held at the Plaza on that day.

This has become an annual event with a day devoted to recognizing agriculture in Tennessee by the legislature.

According to Pettus Read, president of The Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee (TFFFT), Americans benefit from the most plentiful, low-cost and nutritious food supply in the world. "Which other group of workers is more important than farmers? Our farmers are engaged in the work that sustains life itself," says Read.

Tennessee alone has about 79,280 farms encompassing 11.4 million acres of land. Agriculture production, excluding forest products, normally generates more than $2.5 billion annually in farm cash receipts.

Despite challenges, Read says, "Agriculture is very much a vibrant, healthy industry."

Tennessee's top farm and forestry products include beef cattle, hardwood lumber, tobacco, cotton, dairy products, poultry, corn, soybeans, hogs, horses, meat goats, and nursery products.

"American agriculture is responsible for providing the necessities of everyday life...food, fiber and fuel. That's the message of National Ag Day, which is celebrated nationally on March 20th. Producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America will gather to celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture on this first day of spring," Read said.

During the April 14 "Ag Day On The Hill" event, members of Tennessee's Legislature will see up close and first-hand why Tennessee's agricultural industry is important to the state's economy. The House Agriculture Committee, chaired by Representative Stratton Bone, will host a morning of information for other members of the Legislature about what is happening on today's Tennessee farms. Displays from all agricultural organizations will line the halls as well as a dairy cow, a mule, some goats and other livestock will be located outside to show the importance of farming in our state. Activities will get underway at 9:00 a.m. with special presentations made before the House Ag Committee. Lawmakers will have an opportunity to mingle with area farmers and other agricultural industry leaders who will be on-hand to talk about the importance of agriculture.

A real highlight of the morning's activities will be a milking contest between Senate and House members. The contest will begin around 11:00 a.m at the entrance to the Legislative Plaza and is just one of many activities to kick off the celebration honoring Tennessee farmers. They will be trying their best to be named this year's top "Capitol Hill Milker" and carry home the championship award. That award just happens to be a trophy milk pail and a check made out to Second Harvest Food Bank in honor of the winning milker. The donation is made available by The Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee organization. 

Source: The Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee is a coalition of agricultural organizations dedicated to supporting and promoting the state's food and fiber system and the people who work the land. Contact president Pettus Read at 931-388-7872, ext. 2212.