WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2024 – The United States Department of Agriculture revealed today the complete lineup of plenary sessions for its 100th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, entitled “Cultivating the Future,” set up to occur on February 15-16, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia.
“The Agricultural Outlook Forum offers a comprehensive check out American farming and its remarkable variety,” stated Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “In this vein, the plenary sessions in this year's edition of the Forum will supply insight into essential existing and emerging subjects and patterns in the food and farming sector.”
Plenary speakers and subjects on the very first day of the 2024 online forum will concentrate on options to cultivating the future of farming, with opening remarks by Agriculture Deputy Secretary Torres Small, followed by the unveiling of USDA's 2024 Outlook for the domestic farming economy and trade by Chief Economist Seth Meyer. Keynote remarks by Secretary Vilsack will highlight USDA's development in producing a more durable food system and structures that permit future generations to keep farming and construct a great life in the neighborhoods they like. The latter half of the early morning program will consist of a moderated panel with Amanda Beal, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Dr. Tim Boring, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Rick Pate, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for a conversation on the future of farming, obstacles manufacturers are dealing with, and state experiences carrying out USDA financial investments in food and farming on the ground. Furthermore, a panel of manufacturers and market professionals will go over how science, innovation, and development are placing farmers and ranchers to succeed. Concluding the day's plenary sessions will be a discussion with Raj Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, about the obstacles dealing with farming and the world in the years ahead, and the huge concepts required to move on. Following concurrent sessions on a variety of subjects, Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, President of Iowa State University, will liquidate the day with remarks on innovating farming's future.
The 2nd day's plenary speakers will check out methods to promote varied chances for U.S. ag exports in the worldwide market. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will offer virtual remarks on present U.S. diplomacy focused on shaping and safeguarding U.S. interests and providing outcomes for the American individuals, while U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will attend to the present international trade policy landscape and go over bilateral and multilateral engagement to increase export market chances for the U.S. farming sector. To liquidate the early morning plenary programs, Secretary Vilsack will host Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, and Ambassador Marc E. Knapper, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, for a panel conversation on U.S. federal government efforts on market promo, trade policy, capability structure, and other continuous engagements to broaden U.S. farming exports. Extra concurrent sessions will be hosted for the remainder of the day.
The Agricultural Outlook Forum is USDA's biggest and leading yearly event.
