#AgDay22 on the National Mall
Mar 23, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – A showcase of how innovation in agriculture enables sustainability wrapped up here yesterday on National Ag Day. Equipment manufacturers and commodity partners set up outside USDA headquarters between the Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall to share the work America’s farmers, ranchers, and agriculture innovators do on the cutting-edge of science and technology.
“These fascinating displays of the innovations that are enabling modern agriculture to sustainably provide for a growing world serve as an opportunity to help educate policymakers on the sustainability of today’s producers,” said Nick Tindall, senior director of regulatory affairs for the Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers, the organization hosting the event.
On display were innovations in combines, seed traits, aerial application, data management, in-field conservation practices, creative chemistry, tractors big and small, and much more. All of the exhibits featured the advancements that drive American agriculture’s long history of producing more while shrinking its environmental footprint.
“It was wonderful talking to everyone who stopped by our booth, from Members of Congress, to people walking by on their way to work, to families visiting Washington on spring break,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. “People love rice! And they love it even more after learning the industry’s sustainability story and conservation efforts that foster wildlife habitat and benefit biodiversity.”
Ward added, “the most memorable interaction by far was with a woman who recognized our “Think Rice” logo as she had received a rice cooker and sample bag of U.S. rice at a Ride With Rice truck tour event in 2019. Her exact words were, ‘you changed my life that day. Now me, my family, my neighbors, and friends only buy rice grown in the U.S. It’s the best!’”