Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day
September 12
About Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day
Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day is an annual agricultural festival held on the second Saturday of September in Quincy, Washington. In 2026 it falls on Saturday, 12 September. The day brings farmers and the public together to celebrate agriculture, showcase how food is grown, and remind consumers of the work that goes into filling supermarket shelves.
The Story Behind Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day
The origins of Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day trace back to 1981 and a moment of frustration shared by farmers across the United States. A Quincy farmer named Dennis Higashiyama was listening to the popular radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, who recounted the story of a shopper complaining to her grocer about the high price of food. When the shopper suggested that the country could simply do away with farmers altogether, the grocer asked her where she imagined her food came from.
That exchange struck a nerve. Higashiyama recognised a widening gap between the people who grew food and the people who bought it. Many consumers had little understanding of farming, the costs involved, or the slim margins that farmers often work within. He proposed a single day on which the public could come to the farm, see agriculture first hand, and learn where their food really originates. The message was straightforward: farmers are not growing wealthy, and they do not wish to be taken for granted.
The first event took shape in the farming community of Quincy, in central Washington’s Columbia Basin, a region defined by irrigated fields, orchards and food processing. What began as a local effort to educate neighbours grew into a much-loved annual tradition that has now run for more than four decades. Each September the town opens its doors to visitors from across the state and beyond, turning the agricultural calendar into a public celebration of rural life.
Over the years the festival has expanded well beyond its original educational aims. It has become a homecoming of sorts for the Quincy Valley, drawing former residents back and welcoming newcomers curious about where their groceries begin. Yet the founding purpose remains intact: to close the distance between the farm and the dinner table.
When and Where is Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day Celebrated?
Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day always falls on the second Saturday of September. In 2026 that is Saturday, 12 September. Because the date is tied to the day of the week rather than a fixed calendar date, it shifts slightly each year. The table below shows the date for the next five years.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, 12 September |
| 2027 | Saturday, 11 September |
| 2028 | Saturday, 9 September |
| 2029 | Saturday, 8 September |
| 2030 | Saturday, 14 September |
The heart of the celebration is Quincy, Washington, where the parade winds through downtown before the wider festivities gather at Quincy Middle School. While the festival is rooted in this one community, its theme of agricultural appreciation resonates far beyond the Columbia Basin, and the day is noted on calendars across the country as a moment to recognise the people who grow America’s food.
Traditions and Customs
The festival has built up a rich set of traditions over four decades, blending education with old-fashioned community fun.
- The downtown parade – The day opens with a parade through the centre of Quincy, featuring floats, farm machinery and local groups, setting a festive tone for everything that follows.
- Farm equipment displays – Tractors, harvesters and other machinery are put on show, giving visitors a close look at the tools that make modern farming possible.
- The quilt show – A long-standing favourite that celebrates rural craftsmanship and the handmade traditions of the farming community.
- Farm tours – Guided visits let the public see working operations up close and understand the journey food takes from field to shelf.
- The cook-off and food vendors – Local cooks compete while stalls serve up dishes made from the region’s produce, turning education into a shared meal.
Ways to Celebrate Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day
You do not need to be in Quincy to mark the spirit of the day. Here are ways to take part wherever you are.
- Attend the festival – If you are in or near central Washington, head to Quincy for the parade, farm tours, car show, fun run and soccer tournament.
- Buy local and seasonal – Visit a farmers’ market or farm shop and choose produce grown near you, putting money directly into the hands of growers.
- Thank a farmer – Reach out to someone you know in agriculture, or simply share appreciation online for the people who grow your food.
- Learn where your food comes from – Trace one item in your kitchen back to its source and find out what it took to produce it.
- Take children to a farm – A farm visit or pick-your-own outing helps the next generation connect food with the land.
- Cook a meal from scratch – Prepare a dish using whole, locally grown ingredients and appreciate the effort behind each one.
If you enjoy days that champion honest, seasonal food, you might also like Organic September, which encourages people to choose organically grown produce throughout the month.
Facts and Figures
- The event was inspired in 1981 by a Paul Harvey radio broadcast and a Quincy farmer named Dennis Higashiyama.
- It has run annually for more than 40 years, making it one of the longest-standing agricultural awareness festivals in the United States.
- Quincy sits in the Columbia Basin, one of Washington State’s most productive irrigated farming regions.
- Activities include a parade, farm equipment display, quilt show, vendors, farm tours, fun run, car show, cook-off and soccer tournament.
- The festival is always held on the second Saturday of September, so its calendar date changes from year to year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day?
It is an annual agricultural festival held in Quincy, Washington, that brings farmers and the public together to celebrate farming and help consumers understand where their food comes from. It began in 1981.
When is Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day in 2026?
It takes place on Saturday, 12 September 2026, the second Saturday of September.
Who started Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day?
The idea was sparked in 1981 by Quincy farmer Dennis Higashiyama after he heard a Paul Harvey radio broadcast about a shopper who questioned the value of farmers.
Spread the Word
Share Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day with your community using #FarmerConsumerAwarenessDay and #FCAD2026. Whether you visit a farm, shop at a local market or simply thank a grower, every bit of awareness helps keep this tradition alive.
Related Awareness Days
- Organic September – A month-long campaign encouraging shoppers to choose organically grown food.
- Fresh Veggies Day – A celebration of fresh vegetables and the growers who produce them.
- Fairtrade Fortnight – Two weeks dedicated to the farmers and producers behind fairly traded goods.
Links
- Visit the official Quincy Farmer Consumer Awareness Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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