| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Angelyn DeYoung |
| March 13, 2007 | (406) 444-3144 |
Busy Ag Week Planned in Helena
HELENA, Mont. — An Agriculture Appreciation Day luncheon for legislators, a Montana products showcase and a Governor's Food and Agriculture Summit are among the Montana activities scheduled in Helena during National Ag Week, March 18-24, 2007.
"Each farmer today feeds about 144 people in the United States and abroad, compared with 46 people just 50 years ago. March 21, National Ag Day, is a time to recognize the importance of farming and ranching and to celebrate Montana's No. 1 industry," says Nancy K. Peterson, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. "We are so proud of our farmers and ranchers who contribute more than $2.5 billion each year in sales of our commodities here in Montana."
Peterson notes that U.S. consumers spend about 10 percent of their incomes on food, compared to 26 percent in Japan, 28 percent in South Africa and 51 percent in India.
Billboards placed in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula depict the "Celebrate Agriculture" theme. Events scheduled in conjunction with Ag Week this year in Helena include:
March 20 – Ag Appreciation Day luncheon for legislators in the Capitol rotunda.
March 21 – The Montana Agriculture Showcase in the Capitol rotunda will feature displays of more than 200 products from throughout Montana. At noon at Jorgenson's restaurant, Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger will present awards to kindergarten through sixth grade winners of the annual agriculture bumper sticker contest. Secretary of State Brad Johnson will be the master of ceremonies at the bumper sticker event.
March 22 – The Governor's Food and Agriculture Summit begins with registration at 8 a.m. at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel. Speakers for the day include Governor Schweitzer; Bill Yellowtail, Katz Professor of Native American Studies at Montana State University; and Molly Anderson, internationally recognized expert on the science and policy of food systems. For information, see the summit website: www.foodandag.mt.gov. The Agriculture Showcase continues all day in the Capitol rotunda.
March 23 – The Governor's Summit on Food and Agriculture continues at the Red Lion Colonial. Speakers include Nancy K. Peterson, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture; and Joan Miles, director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
For more information about the week, contact the Montana Department of Agriculture at 406-444-3144 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.
