Farm Country Forum to convene produce leaders, agribusiness experts
Farm Journal, the parent company of The Packer, will host leaders from the produce industry and other segments of agriculture at an online event, the Farm Country Forum, on April 16.
Information and registration is available at the Farm Journal website.
The one-day digital event will feature new research about the farmer of the future, discuss some of agriculture’s biggest challenges and look at how COVID-19 will forever change the way America sees its food supply. Registration for this digital event, which is presented with the support of Agri Marketing magazine, is free and open for anyone to attend.
The Forum is 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central, with presentations, panel discussions, viewer-driven Q&A sessions and real-time polling to gauge audience opinions on a variety of topics. Clinton Griffiths, host of AgDay, and Tyne Morgan, host of U.S. Farm Report, will moderate the event.
“For nearly 150 years, Farm Journal has delivered timely and valuable information to a wide range of agricultural audiences,” said Charlene Finck, president of Farm Journal. “This event is another way that — in a time of social distancing for all of us — we can convene industry thought leaders to share perspectives and strategies to keep agriculture and the food supply moving forward.”
In a session called “Keeping Food on America’s Table,” a panel of fresh produce industry leaders will talk about working within a “new normal” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenters include Kevin Byers, senior produce merchandiser at PCC Community Markets, Seattle; Jeff Cady, director of produce and floral for Tops Friendly Markets, Williamsville, N.Y.; Alex DiNovo, president and chief operating officer of DNO Produce, Columbus, Ohio; Thomas Kovacevich III, president of T.M. Kovacevich Philadelphia Inc., Philadelphia; Roger Pepperl, director of marketing for Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, Wash.; and Tom Karst, editor of The Packer.
Other sessions and presenters include:
- Who is the Farmer of the Future? Go beyond research and open your eyes to true intelligence around how farmers, ranchers and growers will change over the next 20 years. Presenters are Doug Edge, senior vice president business solutions at Farm Journal, and Brett Sciotto, CEO of Aimpoint Research;
- Flex Your Data Muscles to Track the Pulse of America’s Farmers: Farm Journal’s editorial team uses an evidence-based, reader-driven approach to keep their fingers on the pulse of American agriculture. Learn how they track farmer sentiment, purchase intentions, top-of-mind issues and behavior analysis, and then use this data to fuel design thinking and new product development. Presenters are Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk; Clinton Griffiths, host of AgDay; Greg Henderson, editor of Drovers; Sara Schafer, editor of Top Producer; Jennifer Shike, editor of Farm Journal’s PORK; and Portia Stewart, content strategy director for Farm Journal.
- Ag Retail Instills Reliability in An Uncertain Time: Ag retailers have become accustomed to rapid changes, shifting trends and adopting new technologies. This spring has brought new challenges in serving farmers in a timely manner to get crops planted and livestock fed. What does this mean for the sales channel long-term and how will businesses operate going forward? Presenters are Amy Asmus, Asmus Farm Supply, Rake, Iowa; Harold Cooper, Premier Ag, Seymour, Ind.; Henry Holloway, The Mill, Bel Air, Md.; and Margy Eckelkamp, editor of AgPro.
- How Covid-19 Will Forever Change the Way America Sees its Food Supply: From empty grocery shelves to victory gardens, COVID-19 has opened the window for agriculture to engage, educate and reassure consumers about their food supply. Food and agriculture experts will discuss why it’s so important to champion agriculture now and provide steps for organizations to help farmers of the future be successful. Presenters include Mary Shelman, The Shelman Group; Frank Yiannis, Food and Drug Administration; Roger Thurow, Chicago Council on Global Affairs; and Nate Birt, Trust In Food.
“You won’t find a better program in terms of addressing the most critical concerns that face our industry today,” Finck said. “The slate of speakers for Farm Country Forum is impressive and will share valuable perspectives to help all of us find ways to navigate the new normal of business going forward.”
Related links
Produce Retailer, Produce Market Guide combine to create PMG
For more coronavirus coverage, check out our landing page on the topic here. To provide input on how the virus is affecting your business, take The Packer's survey.
