ISU College of Agriculture students are joining others across the country in celebration of National Agriculture Week. Events include a barbecue, faculty breakfast and announcement of the Ag Man and Woman of the Year Award.

Today is National Agriculture Day, which has been celebrated on first day of spring since 1973. Since the beginning, the day has been a way for the general public to say “thanks” to the hard working men and women of agriculture.

Iowa State will begin its celebration Wednesday with a barbecue in front of Curtiss Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the Block and Bridle grill team for all College of Agriculture students. Students must present fee card to attend.

Mike Taylor, chairman of Agriculture Student Council’s National Ag Week Committee, said the luncheon is a great way to publicize the college.

“Because we’re a land grant university, it is fortunate that we are here at a strong agriculture college with the strong teaching curriculums,” said Taylor, sophomore in agricultural studies. “It is a way for us to get out and get our name out.”

The week will also be an opportunity to show the diversity of agriculture.

“I think it’s helping people realize that agriculture is everything from biotechnology to plants and vegetables, and it makes up a diverse job market in our nation,” Taylor said.

He also said agriculture students will be able to show who they really are.

“They’re going to see a lot of women out there and see people not dressed in Wranglers and cowboy hats and recognize us as equals to other colleges in the university,” he said.

Dale Friedrichsen, president of Agriculture Student Council, sees the meal as a way to get together locally and promote unity among the college.

“We always try to promote interaction with students and faculty,” he said. “You learn a lot on a social basis where communication is a lot more open.”

Faculty will be rewarded for their contributions to the college at 7:30 a.m. Friday in the rotunda of Curtiss Hall. “They do so much for us,” Taylor said. “It’s nice to give something back.”

The faculty breakfast will also include the announcement of nominees for the Ag Man and Woman of the Year Award.

Friedrichsen, senior in agricultural systems technology, said he sees the importance of those individuals within the college going “above and beyond the call of duty for the college and what they believe in.”

“A lot of people come to school just for school,” he said. “Other people put forth that extra effort to improve the College of Agriculture, help freshman and do projects.”

The Agriculture Council of America is working together with the leaders of agricultural literacy to deliver educational kits to educators and students during National Agriculture Week.

Mike Gaul, agricultural career services director, said this week is a great way to promote agriculture at a young age. “Many think that agriculture is strictly production agriculture,” he said. “This helps plant seeds that there are great opportunities in agriculture.”