FFA members head to Washington for National Ag Day events highlighting advocacy, education, and policy discussions
FFA delegation plans Capitol Hill meetings as National Ag Day events expand across Washington
FFA student members and national leaders are preparing to mark National Ag Day in Washington, D.C., with a schedule that combines federal-agency programming, congressional outreach, and industry engagement. National Ag Day is observed as part of National Agriculture Week and is organized nationally by the Agriculture Council of America, which coordinates an annual theme and public-facing educational activities.
In 2026, National Ag Day falls on March 24. Washington is among the focal points for in-person events, with a morning program planned at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and additional gatherings scheduled throughout the day and adjacent dates.
What is scheduled in Washington on March 24
Organizers have listed a multi-part agenda centered on USDA headquarters. The morning program is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to noon Eastern, followed by an evening reception on Capitol Hill. Additional policy-focused programming is listed for March 23, alongside an outdoor midday celebration near USDA on March 24.
Ag Day at USDA program (March 24, 9:30 a.m.–noon Eastern).
Taste of Ag reception (March 24, 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Eastern) in the Senate’s Kennedy Caucus Room.
Ag & Food Policy Summit (March 23).
Midday Ag Day celebration (March 24, noon–2:30 p.m. Eastern) near USDA at the Voice of the Farmer Garden.
FFA’s Washington focus: advocacy and agricultural education
FFA has used National Ag Day as a national touchpoint for agricultural literacy and policy-oriented engagement. In a recent National Ag Day observance, FFA leadership stated that national officers and staff visited Washington to meet with leaders on Capitol Hill, participate in USDA briefings, and hold discussions with corporate and industry partners. FFA also described coordination involving state affiliates and programming tied to local chapters in the Washington area.
National Ag Day activities are structured to highlight agriculture’s role in food, fiber, and fuel, while providing a forum for student engagement and public education.
Why the day draws national attention
National Ag Day events typically bring together youth organizations, producers, commodity groups, and public officials to emphasize how agricultural supply chains intersect with economic activity, consumer prices, rural development, and environmental stewardship. The Washington events add a policy dimension, placing student leadership and agricultural stakeholders in direct contact with federal decision-makers.
For FFA members traveling to the capital, the day functions as a high-visibility advocacy moment within the school-based agricultural education pipeline, connecting classroom instruction and hands-on learning to federal programs and legislative priorities.