The idea for Earth Day originated right here in America’s Dairyland. Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson had the idea for a national day to focus on the environment in a time when air pollution was commonly accepted as a form of posterity and the word “environment” wasn’t the buzzword that it is today.
Senator Nelson realized that he would be able to force environmental protection onto the national political agenda if he talked about energy with the emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution. After he announced the idea to national media, a staff was formed to promote events across the country for America’s first “national teach-in on the environment”.
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans rallied for a healthy, sustainable environment, and we’ve never looked back. In 1990, it became globally recognized.
Although the rest of the world celebrates Earth day on April 22, every day is Earth Day for farmers. We are the frontline to the environment. We work hard every day to maintain soil, water and air quality. Since we are working the land, farmers have the responsibility to take care of the land that we live on.
We live on this land; we care about it; we truly value it.
