By Jamie Martin
The Farm Journal Foundation celebrated National Ag Day in Washington, D.C., by unveiling the Voice of the Farmer Garden at the USDA headquarters on the National Mall. The launch included remarks from USDA NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt, PepsiCo Executive Steven Williams, Maryland Farmer Ambassador Belinda Burrier, and Farm Journal Foundation CEO Tricia Beal.
The event featured a groundbreaking ceremony, garden demonstrations, partner showcases, and lunch. This new permanent exhibit is designed to educate visitors about the United States’ major crops and the contributions of agriculture to food security, nutrition, and economic growth.
The garden includes educational signage and an interactive mobile phone tour with videos of farmers from across the country. This feature allows visitors to hear directly from farmers about the work involved in producing food, fuel, and fiber.
“Today, farmers represent less than 2 percent of the population, so consumers are more and more removed from the farm,” said Farm Journal Foundation CEO Tricia Beal.
“The Voice of the Farmer Garden is an important platform for educating visitors about where their food, fuel, and fiber come from, and the passion and hard work that goes into feeding America. We are deeply grateful to the USDA and all our partners for supporting this initiative and helping amplify the voices of farmers as they tell their important stories,” said Beal.
The Farm Journal Foundation will host multiple events in the garden this year to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. The exhibit is open year-round at USDA Headquarters, located at Jefferson Drive and 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C., providing a permanent learning experience for all visitors.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National