March: Ag, Food and Environmental Connections

March brings the transition from winter to spring, making it the perfect time to explore agriculture, food, and the environment with kids. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or 4-H leader, these national observances provide great opportunities for hands-on learning. Here are March’s national themes, weeks, and days to celebrate, along with activities and learning ideas to engage kids in meaningful ways.

National Month Themes

National Agriculture Month

• March is dedicated to celebrating agriculture and the essential role it plays in providing food, fiber, and fuel.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Research different agricultural careers and discuss how they impact daily life.

  • Create a “Farm to Table” poster showing how food gets from the farm to the consumer.

  • Study local agriculture and identify what crops and livestock are raised in your area.

National Nutrition Month

• This month highlights the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Plan a balanced meal using food groups and discuss where each ingredient comes from.

  • Learn about food labels and how to make healthy choices at the grocery store.

  • Explore the role of agriculture in providing nutritious foods.

National Peanut Month

• Celebrating the peanut industry and its contributions to food and agriculture.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Study the unique way peanuts grow and the process of harvesting them.

  • Explore George Washington Carver’s agricultural innovations.

  • Make a peanut-based recipe and discuss its nutritional benefits.

National Celery Month

• A time to appreciate celery as a healthy snack and a valuable agricultural crop.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Grow celery from scraps and observe how it regenerates.

  • Learn about the nutritional benefits of celery and how it’s used in different cuisines.

  • Conduct a celery experiment by placing stalks in dyed water to observe capillary action.

National Week Themes

National Groundwater Awareness Week (First Full Week of March)

• Educates people on the importance of groundwater and water conservation.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Create a simple water filtration experiment.

  • Research how farmers use groundwater for irrigation.

  • Discuss water conservation practices that can be used at home and on farms.

National Ag Week (Typically Third Week of March)

• A weeklong celebration of agriculture’s impact on daily life.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Interview a local farmer or rancher about their work.

  • Explore different types of farms and their contributions to the food system.

  • Host an agriculture-themed trivia game.

National Ag Literacy Week (Typically the third week in March)**

• Encourages agricultural literacy among youth and educators.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Read books about farming and food production.

  • Create an agriculture-themed story or comic strip.

  • Explore agricultural myths and facts.

National Days

National Pig Day (March 1)

• Celebrates the importance of pigs in agriculture.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Learn about different pig breeds and their characteristics.

  • Explore the byproducts made from pigs beyond meat.

  • Read a book about pigs.

National Plant a Flower Day (March 12)

• Encourages planting flowers to support pollinators and beautify spaces.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Start a pollinator-friendly garden with native flowers.

  • Learn about the importance of bees and butterflies in pollination.

  • Learn about cool season flowers, frost dates and when you can plant.

National Ag Day (Date Varies, Typically in March (18th in 2025))

• Recognizes the importance of agriculture in providing food, fiber, and fuel.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Research a different agricultural sector and present findings to a group.

  • Visit a local farm or farmers market.

  • Discuss how technology is shaping modern agriculture.

National Poultry Day (March 19)

• Celebrates the role of poultry in agriculture and nutrition.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Study different types of poultry and their uses (meat, eggs, feathers).

  • Conduct an egg experiment, such as testing the strength of an eggshell.

  • Make a meal featuring eggs or chicken and discuss its agricultural origins.

First Day of Spring (March 20)

• Marks the transition from winter to spring, bringing renewed growth and planting opportunities.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Discuss how daylight and temperature changes affect plant growth.

  • Start seedlings indoors for a spring garden.

  • Take a nature walk to observe signs of spring, such as budding trees and early flowers.

National Spinach Day (March 26)

• Highlights the nutritional benefits and agricultural significance of spinach.

• Activities and Learning Ideas:

  • Grow spinach in a small indoor container.

  • Make a spinach smoothie and discuss its health benefits.

  • Learn about different leafy greens and compare their nutritional value.

Wrapping Up

March provides an exciting array of agriculture-themed observances that offer hands-on, engaging ways for kids to learn. By participating in these activities, educators and parents can inspire curiosity about where food comes from and the vital role of agriculture in our lives. Which observance will you explore first?

Let us know how you incorporate these themes into your lessons or home activities—we’d love to hear your stories!