Yes, we are trying to get your attention with this headline and have some fun.

National Ag Day is March 19, and is intended to bring awareness and appreciation for agriculture. Since 2013, the Community Ag Alliance has coordinated Ag Appreciation Week annually in March to coincide with National Ag Day.

Locally, CAA celebrates all things agriculture with partnering organizations and area businesses. Our goal is to unite and connect everyone with the past, present and future of agriculture. We are also proud to be celebrating CAA’s 25th anniversary this year. There are a variety of events planned and invite everyone to attend:

The Farm Tour at Elkstone Farm will be at 10 a.m. March 16. Registration is required at CommunityAgAlliance.org. Visit Elkstone Farm, located in Strawberry Park, and tour their regenerative farm.

The Ranch Rendezvous will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 at Howelsen Hill. People are invited to come learn about local agriculture before or after Ski Free Sunday, stop by the parking lot and meet lambs, rabbits, livestock dogs and other animals. There will also be opportunities to learn about beef production, play some games and have fun. Thank you to Routt County Fair Royalty and 4-H members for their support of this event.

Ag Heritage Storytelling will be at 6:30 p.m. March 18 in Library Hall at the Bud Werner Memorial Library. This special evening will feature a short film made in the 1940s about South Routt agriculture, and several local speakers sharing stories of our rural agricultural heritage.

The Ag Breakfast will be March 20 at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. It is open to everyone in the community. Breakfast is free with a suggested donation of $10. Register at CommunityAgAlliance.org. The breakfast will feature local food prepared by the Routt County Master Gardeners. Table hosts from local agriculture organizations and local producers will share stories and answer all your agriculture questions. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. and the program will run from 7:45-8:45 a.m. Thank you to Alpine Bank for sponsoring this special event.

The Fritz and Friends Concert will be at 7 p.m. March 21 at Old Town Pub. Tickets are available at CommunityAgAlliance.org. Put your dancing boots on for a fun time with Fritz Boniface and Kay Mackenzie of Deer Creek Sharpshooters. They will be joined by Derek Blake and Eric Baker. Thanks to Rocky Mountain Farmers Union for sponsoring this event.

In addition to events, CAA is continuing our partnership with local restaurants to highlight local and Colorado ingredients. Watch for more information on where to eat during Ag Week. And we encourage everyone to shop local and learn more about local food production in the Yampa Valley. The CAA Market will have specials and sampling of local products at 743 Oak St. You can also get involved with CAA’s Capital Campaign and support the growth of the organization.

With a variety of events and promotions, we invite everyone to get involved. The next time you eat, drink and get dressed, take a moment to genuinely think about the “Naked and Hungry” tagline. And consider thanking a rancher or farmer for all they do. Details on events and donation information are at CommunityAgAlliance.org or call the CAA office at 970-879-4370.

Michele Meyer is the executive director of the Community Agriculture Alliance.