March 17-23 is MN Ag Week

The designation is an effort to raise awareness of the positive and important contributions agriculture makes to Minnesota’s economy and its people.

Minnesota agriculture generated $18.5 billion in cash receipts and $6.8 billion in exports in 2011, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. More than 10 percent of the jobs in Minnesota are linked to agriculture.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson says it’s important to recognize the impact agriculture has on the lives of all Minnesotans.

“Minnesota farms and agribusinesses produce high quality foods and agricultural products that we all enjoy and that are also exported around the world,” said Frederickson.

Minnesota Agriculture Week is being recognized in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary of National Agriculture Day which this year is Tuesday, March 19.

For more information on National Ag Day, visitwww.agday.org.