As another growing season approaches, today has been set as National Ag Day by the Agriculture Council of America. The council designates the week within it falls as National Ag Week.

One goal of National Ag Day is to recognize the contribution agriculture makes in the lives of all of us. The council sponsors and encourages programs during National Ag Week that help Americans:

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced.

• Appreciate the role ag plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.

• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

While it seems unlikely that many Iowans need to be reminded that agriculture is is vital to this state, this is a good time to recall just how impressive American agriculture has truly become.

According to the ACA, each American farmer feeds more than 165 people, a dramatic increase from 25 people in the 1960s. Quite simply, American agriculture is doing more – and doing it better. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States.

By building awareness, the ACA is encouraging young people to consider career opportunities in agriculture.

Career choices include:

• Farm production.

• Agribuisness research and engineering.

• Food science.

• Processing and retailing.

• Banking.

• Education.

• Landscape architecture.

• Urban planning.

• Energy.

The strongest job market is expected for plant scientists, food scientists. sustainable biomaterials specialists, water resources scientists and engineers, precision agriculture specialists and farm animal veterinarians.

The ACA says a strong market is expected for e-commerce managers, ag-science educators, crop advisors and pest control specialists.