Agricultural Outlook Forum announces Plenary Panel for Feb. 25-26 conference

Participants will be able to choose from 30 concurrent track sessions on topics including “Risk Management.”
Participants will be able to choose from 30 concurrent track sessions on topics including “Risk Management.” | File photo
The Agricultural Outlook Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Tuesday the Plenary Panel on "Providing Leadership for Present and Future Generations in the Transformation of Agriculture."

This year's panelists are: Elizabeth Garrett, president of Cornell University; Ilene Gordon, CEO of Ingredion; Pamela Hess, executive director of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture; and Pam Johnson, an Iowa farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association.

The USDA brought this specific group together because they have a wide variety of knowledge and perspectives on the state of agriculture in America and in its future. The Agricultural Outlook Forum will focus on technology and how it is changing farming in America as well as the changing demographics of farms in rural America.

These two trends will have a large impact on domestic and foreign markets as will new programs under the 2014 Farm Bill.

Opening remarks will be made by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. The Forum’s keynote speaker will be Howard Buffett, CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, now the president of Purdue University, will speak at the dinner. In addition to making opening remarks, Harden will host a special session for new farmers and a networking event for women in agriculture. 

Participants will be able to choose from 30 concurrent track sessions on topics including “Risk Management” and “Urban Agriculture.” 

The 92nd Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum will be at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia from Feb. 25-26.