03/17/05 Washington celebrates Ag Day

03/17/05 Washington celebrates Ag Day

Washington Ag March 17, 2005 It's not just Saint Patrick's Day, its being proclaimed Ag Day in Washington state today by Governor Gregoire. Normally the event which focuses attention on the people that produces our food and fiber is celebrated on the first day of spring, which is Sunday, but USDA Secretary Mike Johanns is giving his Ag Day speech today, so others have moved up festivities. Drought overshadow's this year's celebration of Ag Day in Washington but state Agriculture Director Valoria Loveland points out part of agriculture is having to rely on mother nature. Loveland has this message about agriculture in Washington. Loveland: "People need to recognize that we are 13% of the state's economy. We employ more people than any other business within the state. We are the third largest export state in the United States. And the diversity of the crops that we have within the state are amazing. We are only second behind California. We have more than 300 different crops that we raise commercially within the state. So we are part of people's life everyday and I think we do a pretty darn good job of production and quality. I would just like for everybody to remember that there are a lot men and women and their families that work hard everyday and produce a lot of good quality safe food for us." I'm Bob Hoff.
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