[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9849 of March 13, 2019

National Agriculture Day, 2019

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On National Agriculture Day, we acknowledge the immeasurable value
farmers, ranchers, growers, producers, and foresters contribute to our
Nation. America's agriculture families and communities lead the world in
producing food, feed, fuel, and fiber. Today, we pay tribute to the men
and women who expand opportunities for prosperity, economic development,
and food security by cultivating the land across our country.
American agriculture strengthens our economy. Valued at more than $141
billion, our country's agriculture exports are critical to our Nation's
job market, with every $1 billion in exports supporting approximately
8,400 American jobs. Counting for approximately 5.5 percent of our gross
domestic product, our agriculture, food, and related industries are
vital to our Nation's global economic success. Accordingly, my
Administration is working to modernize and improve trade agreements to
remove barriers and open foreign markets to goods grown and produced
here in the United States. Last year, I made good on my promise to
renegotiate the outdated and unbalanced North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) with the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada
Agreement (USMCA). Once approved by the Congress, the USMCA will help
farmers, especially dairy producers, have improved access to markets for
their products by lifting unfair restrictions by Canada on American
dairy, wheat, and wine producers.
We must continue to streamline our regulatory environment so that
agricultural innovation can flourish and help our farmers, ranchers, and
foresters meet the world's growing demand for food. My Administration,
therefore, is streamlining regulatory policy for biotechnology, removing
the red tape that is slowing down the approval of powerful new
agriculture products. We are also committed to training and supporting
the next generation of farmers and agriculture professionals through
technical assistance programs so that they have the knowhow

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to harness the full potential of our Nation's abundant technological and
national resources.
To help ensure the continued success, stability, and prosperity of our
Nation's farmers, ranchers, and producers, I signed into law the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This legislation bolsters farm
safety-net programs, supports expanded markets for America's
agricultural production, promotes active management of natural
resources, and maintains strong rural development and research
initiatives. In addition, a key provision in the law requires the
Federal Communications Commission to work with the Department of
Agriculture to boost broadband deployment and adoption in rural areas.
This initiative will provide more farmers, ranchers, and rural
communities access to next-generation digital technologies that enhance
profitability and sustainability, greatly improving quality of life for
all Americans.
The American farmer embodies the timeless virtues of our Nation: hard
work, self-reliance, and dedication to family. On this National
Agriculture Day, we express our gratitude to those who feed and clothe
us, fuel our economy, and inspire us with their determination and
perseverance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 14, 2019, as
National Agriculture Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day
by recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in our daily
lives, acknowledging agriculture's continuing importance to rural
America and our country's economy, and expressing our deep appreciation
of farmers, growers, ranchers, producers, national forest system
stewards, private agricultural stewards, and those who work in the
agriculture sector across the Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
third.
DONALD J. TRUMP