    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 134, 116th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Proclamation 9998 of March 23, 2020
    National Agriculture Day, 2020
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation
    Since our Nation's earliest days, farming communities have been a
    bedrock of our society. In a letter to George Washington, Thomas
    Jefferson famously stated that agriculture ``is our wisest pursuit,
    because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals,
    and happiness.''; As our Nation continues to face the unique challenges
    posed by the coronavirus pandemic, we pay tribute to the unbeatable
    strength of America's agricultural producers as they once again answer
    the call to feed our country and the world. On this National Agriculture
    Day, and now more than ever, we salute and honor the men and women who
    contribute daily to our national prosperity.
    United States agricultural food and fiber production has increased
    significantly over the past century, while the amount of resources used
    to produce those goods has largely stayed the same. This incredible
    productivity is due to innovations that have propelled the American
    model of agriculture to the top of the world stage, allowing Americans
    to spend less of their paychecks on food. Americans feed their families
    with the safest, healthiest, and most affordable food in the world.
    Thanks to the efficiency of our farmers and ranchers, our rural
    communities are stronger and more resilient.
    Since taking office, I have worked tirelessly to deliver on my promise
    to negotiate better trade deals for our country, directly benefitting
    agricultural communities. After decades of one-sided trade agreements
    that left the great men and women of our country behind, my
    Administration has secured fairer and more reciprocal deals that ensure
    American workers are put first. Our farmers, whose grit and hard work
    help feed, fuel, and clothe millions around the world, are key
    beneficiaries of these historic trade agreements. In 2019, I delivered
    the United States-Japan Trade Agreement, which is already providing our
    farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses with new market access to 127
    million Japanese consumers. In January, I ended the outdated and
    unbalanced North American Free Trade Agreement by signing into law the
    United States-

    [[Page 5216]]

    Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), creating incredible
    opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. The USMCA empowers
    American businesses in our vital agricultural sector with greater
    freedom to sell their goods throughout North America. Thanks to this
    better deal, American agriculture exports are expected to increase by
    $2.2 billion. I also signed a new, fully enforceable trade agreement
    with China, which will help start to rebalance our vital trade partnership. As part
    of this deal, China has pledged to increase imports of American goods
    and services over the next 2 years by at least $200 billion, including
    purchasing more than $80 billion in American agricultural goods.
    Across our country, farming families and communities demonstrate the
    timeless American values of hard work, perseverance, and stewardship of
    the land. Just as they have for centuries, our farmers provide the
    foundation of a national economic supply chain that is critical to our
    national security and prosperity. Today and every day, we express our
    gratitude to these individuals and remember the central place of
    agriculture in our national identity and American way of life.
    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 24, 2020, 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 twenty-third day of
    March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
    fourth.
    DONALD J. TRUMP