High school students have until Jan. 31, 2019, to submit entries for the National Ag Day essay and video essay contest, sponsored by the Agriculture Council of America.

The theme for entries is “Agriculture: Food for Life. How Does Our Nation Lead the Way?” Participants are encouraged to describe how agriculture affects their daily lives and how it will feed the world’s growing population.

The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12 in the 2018-2019 school year. Participants must be U.S. citizens attending school in the U.S. Details and an entry form is available at agday.org.

First-place winners will be contacted in February and will be announced to the public on National Ag Day, March 19.

Ag Day will be celebrated during National Ag Week, March 17-23. The observation encourages Americans to understand how food and fiber goods are produced; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.