In recognition of the state’s largest industry, March is recognized as Kansas Agriculture Month. To celebrate a long and evolving history of farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses as well as support neighbors in need, activities at the local and state levels have been planned.

Kansas Agriculture Month kicks off with the launch of the Neighbor to Neighbor statewide food drive the first week of March at Harvesters – The Community Food Bank in Topeka, Kan. The food drive is jointly hosted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), Dillon’s Food Stores, Harvesters – The Community Food Bank, the Kansas Food Bank, the Second Harvest Community Food Bank and the Kansas agricultural community. In 2014, 77,000 meals were collected for Kansans in need. This year, the goal is to raise 85,000 meals through food collections and monetary donations. Collected food items stay in the areas from which they were donated. Contribute to the food drive at any Dillon’s Food Store location statewide or encourage your school to contact a participating food bank to get involved. Visit agriculture.ks.gov/ksagcelebrations for more information.

Throughout the month of March, Kansas Agriculture Celebrations partners discuss agricultural topics on social media, ranging from agritourism to food security. Connect with KDA and Kansas agricultural community members by engaging with Kansas Agriculture Celebrations social media activity. Follow the agency on Facebook and Twitter and follow the hashtags #ksag and #n2nks.

Kansas Agriculture Day is Wednesday, March 18 and will be celebrated with several events throughout the state.

For more information about Kansas Agriculture Celebrations, please visit agriculture.ks.gov/ksagcelebrations.