AFGC strives to bring farming and forages into greater public awareness with National Forage Week.
Chris Agee, AFGC president from Madison, Georgia, says, “National Forage Week was first celebrated last year and was well received by the forage community as one might expect, but more importantly others outside of the forage community were made aware of the importance of forage.
“AFGC’s goal is to increase awareness of forages and we’ve got a long way to go, but as AFGC and its state affiliate councils get the word out at the local level, we’ll make progress.”
The National Forage Week campaign is designed to raise awareness and educate the public about the role of forages in dairy and meat consumption.
Gary Bates, chairman of the AFGC National Forage Week committee, says, “We often take forage crops for granted. Many people do not realize how much forage plants impact their lives. From meat and dairy all the way to ornamental grasses, forages touch most people’s lives in some fashion.”
The National Forage Week promotion includes social media blitzes, photo fliers for local circulation, cameo videos, email blasts and press releases. Any groups or individuals wishing to engage in the promotion are encouraged to email AFGC at info@afgc.org to receive promotional links or materials.
The campaign is expected to grow each year to add additional coverage in farming publications and congressional designation.
AFGC is asking for support at the local level from forage producers across the nation to help get the word out locally and by posting on Facebook, Twitter or other social media posts.
Agee says, “I encourage everyone to share the National Forage Week video that’s online at the AFGC website and share your forage experiences at #NationalForageWeek or share a forage photo at #ForageFanaticFoto because forage isn’t just about food and fiber, but water quality and soil conservation too.” 
To learn more about participation in National Forage Week, visit the American Forage & Grassland Council website.
—Excerpts from American Forage and Grassland Council press release
