NATIONAL GRANGE PBS COMMERCIAL

Ag Day offers Grange Youth opportunity to put face on rural

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On Thursday, March 14, the National Grange celebrated National Ag Day, taking part in several events throughout Washington, D.C. and taking the message of agriculture’s important role in our national economy to the Hill.

National Youth Team members – Young Patrons Brittney Oliver, Washington; Katie Fallon, New York; and Youth Ambassadors, Rylee Furr and Zac Mazag, both of North Carolina – met with Senate and House leaders in the morning and afternoon, discussing issues such as ag labor, rural broadband expansion and imported drugs to name a few.

National Grange President Betsy Huber said the event draws interest in issues relevant for those directly involved in agriculture and their larger rural communities.

“This is a great annual event and we are so proud of our Youth and staff who attended,” Huber said. “They are helping to raise awareness and put a face on rural that is immeasurable in impact.”

While there were many high points during the day, one of the more visible was shared on social media by Rep. Dan Newhouse, who interviewed Oliver about the importance of youth entering careers in agriculture and those supporting farmers and ranchers. Check out the interview here

The group, including National Legislative Director Burton Eller, National Youth Director Mandy Bostwick and National Membership and Leadership Development Director Joe Stefenoni, traveled to a briefing on the state of agriculture at the Press Club in the afternoon and took part in discussions with others interested in agriculture during an evening reception on the 13th at the U.S. Capitol.

During that evening event, Huber reconnected with Sen. Pat Roberts, a 2018 recipient of the National Grange’s prestigious Champion of Rural America Award.