Celebrating the Heart of Our Community: The Vital Role of Agriculture on Ag Day

Are you ready for Ag Day? National Ag Day, March 19th, is a celebration of all things agriculture and kicks off National Agriculture Week. It’s a day that takes agriculture off the farm and showcases how much it impacts our lives, from the food we eat to the clothing we wear. Agriculture touches everything we do, and Ag is a big part of our community here at Casey State Bank. Let’s take some time to appreciate Ag Day and what the nation’s farmers and agriculturalists do for us all!

The Roots of Ag Day

The Agriculture Council of America established National Ag Day in 1973. It’s an annual reminder of the indispensable role agriculture plays in sustaining life as we know it. With origins rooted in recognizing the tireless efforts of farmers and agricultural workers, Ag Day has grown to include a broader understanding of the deep connections between agriculture and daily life. It serves as a platform to acknowledge that everyone, whether directly involved in farming or not, is a vital part of the agricultural ecosystem. Agriculture, after all, extends far beyond the fields to include food processing, distribution, research, and technological innovations essential for feeding populations and driving economies. Ag Day emphasizes the need for collaboration and appreciation across all sectors to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.

Agriculture’s Impact on Our Daily Lives

There’s no way to truly measure how much agriculture impacts our lives because it touches nearly everything. Food, clothing, and even the fuel powering some vehicles are agricultural products. There are some unexpected surprises. Did you know that some plastics are made from crop waste? And biofuel grown on farms powers 153 biomass power plants across the US! 

Behind the scenes, countless efforts go into cultivating, harvesting, processing, and transporting agricultural products. Agriculture is more than just farming. Agriculture encompasses many other industries, like food and beverage manufacturing, food services, the textile, apparel and leather product industry, forestry and fishing. Agriculture plays a vital role in sustaining our economies and fostering innovation. It’s a multifaceted industry that touches us daily, often unseen but undeniably essential to our existence.

Local Heroes: Our Farmers and Producers

When you think of a farmer, are you picturing your friends and neighbors? You should be! Casey State Bank is proud to serve communities with strong agricultural sectors. Every day, we see farmers- the faces behind the food- come in with new and exciting ideas for the future of agriculture. From our friends at local grain elevators to biomass producers, the farmers we support are working hard to develop a sustainable, healthy future full of delicious local crops, innovative fuel technologies, and more. 

Casey State Bank’s Role in Supporting Agriculture

At Casey State Bank, we celebrate our farmers on Ag Day and every day! From providing financial support to farmers and agribusinesses to engaging in community initiatives that promote agricultural education and sustainability, we do our part to ensure that ag workers thrive. We offer ag loans with competitive rates that help farmers expand and innovate for community growth and development! We also support agricultural initiatives like the FFA and scholarships, ensuring the ag industry stays strong for the next generation. 

Joining the Celebration: How You Can Get Involved

So, how can you participate in Ag Day? The easiest way is to support local farming initiatives. Visit farmer’s markets and local Ag Day events. Talk with your family about where food comes from, and shop local whenever you can. You’ll be amazed how much better food from your local farm tastes! And keeping your dollars local helps grow your community. Whether that’s shopping, dining out, or even banking, supporting your community helps support the farmers who are part of it. Supporting youth ag initiatives, like 4H and FFA, is also a great way to get involved with Ag Day. See if your local groups are hosting any fun events for Ag Day, and bring the whole family out to learn more about how you can get involved with agriculture. 

Casey State Bank Celebrates Ag Day

Agriculture awareness is essential. Without thinking about agriculture, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the producers who make the things we use daily. Ag Day reminds us about how important agriculture is for a strong, sustainable future. Everyone can play a part! Share your experiences with agriculture, both in-person and online! Ag Day is a great place to start celebrating, supporting, and educating yourself and others about the agriculture industry. Join us at Casey State Bank as we celebrate agriculture on Ag Day and every day.