The Agriculture Council of America has announced the 2024 National Ag Day video winners. The winners were chosen based on the theme: Agriculture in the Future: If I had two minutes to talk to a farmer.
In its 51st year, National Ag Day encourages every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced, appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products, value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy, and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry. It will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 19, and AGDAILY is one of its sponsors.
While the essay contest was previously a written and video contest, the program switched to all video entries this year.
First-place winner
Sophia Kawamura from Bothell, Washington, receives a $1,500 prize.
Second-place winner
Imani Laird from Newton, Massachusetts, will receive $1,000.
Third place winner
Helen Henry from Corvallis, Oregon, is the third-place winner, receiving $500.
All three winning entries will be played during the Ag Day Virtual Event and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Event on March 19.
The contest was open to students in grades 9 through 12 in the 2023-24 school year. Contestants had to be a U.S. citizen and attend school in the U.S. All entrants were encouraged to support their position with facts when preparing for the contest and were told to consider the following:
-
Address the future of agriculture and its impact on society, the environment, technology, and the economy.
-
Discuss innovative farming practices, sustainability, technological advancements, challenges faced by farmers, or any other relevant topic related to the future of agriculture.
-
Participants should imagine having a brief conversation with a farmer and convey their thoughts on the future of agriculture within the 2-minute timeframe.
Activities planned for March 19 feature a virtual Ag Day program, and in-person events in Washington, D.C. The Agriculture Council of America will invite students to interact virtually with legislators and agency representatives, delivering the Ag Day message. A core leadership team of college students will participate in the DC events, along with representatives of national farm and commodity organizations, representatives of the food, fuel, and fiber communities.
Jenny Pickett, ACA President, says students from AFA, 4-H, FFA, and MANNRS participated in 2023 National Ag Day.
“Students are interested in advocating on behalf of agriculture and their future roles in the industry. Their participation in National Ag Day activities provides a glimpse of the future of agriculture. It’s exciting to learn from the students what they think agriculture will be like in the years ahead, and how their involvement will shape the industry and America as a whole.”