This week is National Ag Week! But here in Indiana we have declared March to be Agriculture Month. One Month to recognize farmers and all they do to provide us with a safe and reliable food source. One Month to recognize how diverse agriculture is from organically grown produce, to large scale animal production units, and from hardwoods to aquaculture. One Month to recognize that Agriculture touches every aspect of your life from the mint in the toothpaste you brush your teeth with everymorning, to the fuel you put in the car, to the crayons your kids color with.

Governor Mitch Daniels declared March Agriculture Appreciation Month in Indiana. The Hoosier celebration is an extension of National Ag Week, March 13-19.

The official proclamation reads, in part:

WHEREAS, the foundation of Indiana agriculture, farm production, occurs on 61,000 farms representing 14.8 million acres of farmland in the state; and

WHEREAS, the Hoosier farmer, a symbol of strength and strong moral fiber, has displayed ingenuity in times of prosperity and perseverance in the face of hardships, while supplying our state, our nation and the world with an abundance of high quality agriculture goods and products; and…

In honor of the month and in recognition of the significant economic and cultural contributions agriculture makes to the Hoosier state, Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFoF), a coalition of more than a dozen ag-related organizations, will sponsor a series of events and initiatives during Agriculture Appreciation Month. Stay tuned to ISDA's facebook and twitter (@ISDAgov) accounts for more information.