STATE OF TENNESSEE
PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR

WHEREAS, the foundation of Tennessee Agriculture, farm production, occurs on 91,000 farms representing 11.9 million acres of farm land, or nearly half the state's land area; and

WHEREAS, the American Farmer, a national symbol of strength and strong moral fiber, has displayed ingenuity in times of prosperity and perseverance in the face of hardships while supplying our state, nation and world, year in and year out, with an abundance of high quality agricultural goods and products; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee's farm families are stewards of the land contributing to the health, beauty, productivity and quality of our state's water, soil and forest resources for the benefit of all Tennesseans; and

WHEREAS, our state's secondary agricultural education program and our agricultural institutions of higher learning are responsible for developing highly trained and skilled young men and women entering careers in agricultural production, processing, sales and other services; and

WHEREAS, our agricultural research institutions and extension programs contribute significantly to the quality of life for all Tennesseans through the advancement of the science and art of agriculture in the areas of soil and water conservation, biotechnology, food safety, and farm and forest productivity; and

WHEREAS, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's mission is to serve the people of Tennessee by promoting wise usage of our agricultural and forest resources, developing economic opportunities, and ensuring safe and dependable food and fiber; and

WHEREAS, agriculture is the core of our state's health, recreation and economy, generating more than $2.2 billion in farm income and more than $450 million in agricultural exports annually; and

WHEREAS, 2000 marks the 27th anniversary of National Agriculture Day, an effort to raise awareness of the positive contribution agriculture makes in providing the necessary food and fiber of everyday life,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Don Sundquist, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim March 20, 2000, as

AGRICULTURE DAY

in Tennessee, and urge all our citizens to join me in this worthy observance.