Whoever said that hybrid conferences were laid back hasn’t been to the USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum. With only two days of programming, the USDA has a jam-packed, choose-your-own-adventure forum that offers insights and updates from the department.
While the event is held in-person at the Crystal Gateway Marriot in Arlington, Va., from Feb. 23-24, attendees can enjoy the full lineup of panels, keynotes and luncheon topics from their laptop. Participants for the 99th annual forum include producers, processors, policymakers, government officials and nongovernmental organizations.
Even delivered online over a livestream, the mood of open collaboration, creative problem-solving and clear-eyed optimism resonated on opening day of the conference.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off the forum on Thursday and participated in panels throughout the first day. Thursday’s forum focused on a range of topics such as labor, climate-smart commodities, trade, data, supply chain challenges, food prices, drought and forestry.
“So, as you know in this big country, we are all connected by food and fuel and materials,” USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small said in opening remarks. “Secretary Vilsack believes that there is a better option than get big or get out. He knows that we can support the folks who’ve been working so hard and answering our call to produce more efficiently by investing in the solutions that they’re already forging on the ground, like more and better markets.”
Related news: Top 10 Charts from the Kickoff of USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum
The second day of the Agricultural Outlook Forum is set to be another packed in day of diverse talks and keynotes. Friday’s panels and tracks include sessions, panels and keynotes on the following topics:
Global agricultural sustainability.
Commodity outlooks.
U.S. trade and foreign investments.
Supply chain challenges.
Climate mitigation and adaptation.
Agroforestry.
Carbon markets.
Climate change.
Pollinators and biodiversity.
Farm bill and farm policy.
Food security.
Nutrition.
Organic outlook.
Organic agriculture research.
Preventing fraud and integrity of the organic seal.
Diversity and equity.
Food safety.
Learn more on the 2023 Agricultural Outlook Forum program site.
