This upcoming week, Georgia will celebrate Ag Week to honor the state’s farmers and the contributions they make, according to a press release by the Georgia Farm Bureau.
According to the release, Georgia’s farmers produce more chickens, peanuts and pecans than any other state. Georgia is the second state in production of cotton lint, cotton seed and watermelons, third in cantaloupe and peach production and fourth in blueberry production.
"All told, Georgia’s farmers and ranchers produced more than $12.2 billion worth of agricultural commodities in 2020, according to the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness & Economic Development,” the release said. “Agriculture had an economic impact of $69.4 billion on the state’s economy while providing 352,430 jobs.”
In celebration of all of the hard work that farmers contribute to the state, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has declared March 21 through 25 as Georgia Ag Week. This week is also National Ag Week, and National Ag Day is March 22.
Each day during Georgia Ag Week, the Georgia Farm Bureau will provide a video on a specific theme and supplementary classroom activities that teachers can download. The theme and video for each day will be:
March 21, Hands-On Garden Day: the video will feature a UGA Extension Agent demonstrating planting zucchini
March 22, Buy Georgia Grown Day: the video will feature a chef preparing a no-bake recipe and discussing nutrition
March 23, Ag Hero Day: the video will introduce students to a farmer and provide information about planting
March 24, Ag Literacy Day: the video will feature a librarian reading the American Farm Bureau Foundation Book of the Year, “How to Grow a Monster” by Kiki Thorpe
March 25: the video will feature beekeepers discussing the importance of pollinators for Georgia’s fruit and vegetable production
“Agriculture has played a major role in Georgia’s progress throughout state history, and we’re proud to maintain that legacy of feeding our fellow Georgians,” Dawson County Farm Bureau president Wayne Bennett said in the release. “We’re also proud that we do it the right way, working to protect natural resources and caring for our animals to keep them healthy to ensure that farms can continue to prosper into the future. When Georgia farmers succeed, all of Georgia benefits.”