Mar 24, 2020President proclaims March 24 National Agriculture Day
Amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, President Trump is calling on Americans to honor agriculture and its vital role in society through a national proclamation. March 24, 2020 has been declared National Agriculture Day by the White House.
The proclamation was released on March 23. An excerpt:
“I encourage all Americans to observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in our daily lives, acknowledging agriculture’s continuing importance to rural America and our country’s economy, and expressing our deep appreciation of farmers, growers, ranchers, producers, national forest system stewards, private agricultural stewards, and those who work in the agriculture sector across the Nation.”
National Potato Council President Britt Raybould acknowledged the announcement.
“Today, we recognize all farmers for their critical role in the American way of life. Part of our strength as a nation comes from our ability to feed our communities and the world,” Raybould said. “We know that farmers are used to hard work, uncertainty, and making the best of a difficult situation. While our current reality offers perhaps a bit more of all three, I’m confident that the folks we trust to put food on our tables will continue to deliver. We will get through this challenge.”
Here is a Facebook video from Eric Halverson of Black Gold Farms.
The number of states mandating employees of nonessential industries to stay at home to limit the spread of the virus has risen to 15. Agriculture is not included in those mandates.
Although agriculture workers and transporters are not required to carry documentation at this time, some entities are choosing to issue certificates to employees to carry as a preemptive measure for possible law enforcement. Forms have been created for agriculture employees and shippers that can be downloaded and printed out.
Here is the White House’s entire proclamation on National Agriculture Day.
“Since our Nation’s earliest days, farming communities have been a bedrock of our society. In a letter to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson famously stated that agriculture ‘is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.’ As our Nation continues to face the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, we pay tribute to the unbeatable strength of America’s agricultural producers as they once again answer the call to feed our country and the world. On this National Agriculture Day, and now more than ever, we salute and honor the men and women who contribute daily to our national prosperity.
“United States agricultural food and fiber production has increased significantly over the past century, while the amount of resources used to produce those goods has largely stayed the same. This incredible productivity is due to innovations that have propelled the American model of agriculture to the top of the world stage, allowing Americans to spend less of their paychecks on food. Americans feed their families with the safest, healthiest, and most affordable food in the world. Thanks to the efficiency of our farmers and ranchers, our rural communities are stronger and more resilient.
“Since taking office, I have worked tirelessly to deliver on my promise to negotiate better trade deals for our country, directly benefitting agricultural communities. After decades of one-sided trade agreements that left the great men and women of our country behind, my Administration has secured fairer and more reciprocal deals that ensure American workers are put first. Our farmers, whose grit and hard work help feed, fuel, and clothe millions around the world, are key beneficiaries of these historic trade agreements. In 2019, I delivered the United States-Japan Trade Agreement, which is already providing our farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses with new market access to 127 million Japanese consumers. In January, I ended the outdated and unbalanced North American Free Trade Agreement by signing into law the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), creating incredible opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. The USMCA empowers American businesses in our vital agricultural sector with greater freedom to sell their goods throughout North America. Thanks to this better deal, American agriculture exports are expected to increase by $2.2 billion. I also signed a new, fully enforceable trade agreement with China, which will help start to rebalance our vital trade partnership. As part of this deal, China has pledged to increase imports of American goods and services over the next 2 years by at least $200 billion, including purchasing more than $80 billion in American agricultural goods.
“Across our country, farming families and communities demonstrate the timeless American values of hard work, perseverance, and stewardship of the land. Just as they have for centuries, our farmers provide the foundation of a national economic supply chain that is critical to our national security and prosperity. Today and every day, we express our gratitude to these individuals and remember the central place of agriculture in our national identity and American way of life.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 24, 2020, as National Agriculture Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in our daily lives, acknowledging agriculture’s continuing importance to rural America and our country’s economy, and expressing our deep appreciation of farmers, growers, ranchers, producers, national forest system stewards, private agricultural stewards, and those who work in the agriculture sector across the Nation.
“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.”
