FRANKFORT, Ky. — There can be no argument that without agriculture, eating would be next to impossible and with a growing global population, feeding all those people becomes a challenge even for a country with the most productive agriculture industry in the world.

The Agriculture Council of America (ACA) recognizes the importance of bringing attention to agriculture and is hosting the 42nd annual National Agriculture Day March 18. This year’s theme is, fittingly, “Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.”

“This is undoubtedly the most important Ag Day program in our history,” said Jenny Pickett, ACA president. “Our goal is to ensure the eyes of the nation are on the contributions American agriculture makes not just here in the United States, but also around the world. That’s the message we’re taking to (Capitol) Hill, and the message that will be carried through communities across America.”

The organization plans a two-day event in Washington, D.C., to mark the day. The group also sponsored a poster contest; Clinton Walker, of the Kansas City Art Institute, was selected the winner.

Closer to home, Mark Haney, president of Kentucky Farm Bureau, said the commitment, hard work and innovation of the nation’s farmers provides a stable supply of nutritious, affordable food. “National Ag Day is an excellent opportunity for all Americans to learn more about the farmers who contribute so much to America’s prosperity and quality of life,” he said.

“Feeding people has always been the central role of farmers, but feeding a growing world population while the amount of farmland is simultaneously shrinking is a real challenge. 

“Appreciating, understanding and partnering with the ag community will be necessary at all levels of society if we are to meet these increasing demands.”

Global population is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050. If that number is realized, farmers will have to double production in order to feed them, according to statistics from Farm Policy Facts, a nonprofit comprised of farmers and commodity groups “created to educate Congress and Americans about agriculture’s contribution to a strong and vibrant United States.”

And, growing the country’s agricultural production is something at which American farmers have excelled. According to information from the USDA: “The level of U.S. farm output more than doubled between 1948-2011, growing at an average annual rate of 1.49 percent.”

Much of that success can be attributed to research efforts at state and national levels. The USDA notes the most recent farm bill allocates funds for a number of research efforts, including funding for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, a new nonprofit institution to foster research and technology transfer through public-private collaborations.

Other funding broadens support for animal health and disease research and veterinary services, and for specialty crops research and extension.

The ACA notes the National Ag Day program wants every American to “understand how food and fiber products are produced; appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.”