The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hosted its 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum last month, at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. The event, themed “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” brought together over 1,800 in-person attendees and thousands more virtually, including producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations.
Analysis of agricultural markets and trade by USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer, numerous distinguished speakers, and 30 breakout sessions covering timely agricultural, food market, and environmental issues made for a full couple of days.
A significant highlight of the forum was the keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, a Texas native. In her speech, she addressed the pressing challenges facing American agriculture, noting a $45.5 billion trade deficit and the alarming statistic that one in ten farms has disappeared over the past decade. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The state of our agriculture is dire, perhaps one of the worst in the past fifty years.”
Secretary Rollins also underscored the administration’s commitment to securing equitable trade deals for American farmers and delivering $40 billion in emergency aid, with plans to meet the March 21 deadline set by Congress”.
The forum’s breakout sessions delved into various critical topics, including food safety in modern supply chains, livestock and poultry management, organic agriculture, addressing the challenges of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in agriculture, and the implications of pesticides in relation to the Endangered Species Act. These sessions provided attendees with insights into current issues and fostered discussions on innovative solutions.
As the CEO for the Farmer Veteran Coalition, I participated in these breakout sessions, bringing attention to the unique perspectives and challenges faced by Farmer Veterans. This involvement allowed me to highlight the importance of supporting Veterans in agriculture and integrating their experiences into broader agricultural discussions.
Overall, the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum served as a pivotal platform for the Farmer Veteran Coalition to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and collaboratively seek solutions to the pressing challenges facing the agricultural sector today.
