Washington—New paths to sustainability and productivity is the theme for next year’s Agricultural Outlook Forum, scheduled for Feb. 24-25, 2022 in a virtual setting.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the 98th installment of the forum, which will focus on innovations to minimize the environmental footprint of agriculture and ensure sustainability while improving crop yields.
It kicks off with a presentation by USDA chief economist Seth Meyer on the outlook for US commodity markets and trade for 2022, along with the US farm income situation.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will deliver the keynote address highlighting climate-smart solutions to improve the profitability and resilience of agricultural producers.
“If we are to produce enough to feed a growing global population while minimizing our environmental impacts, we must develop new ways to do things,” Vilsack said.
I look forward to discussing how we can work on climate-smart solutions to help producers and open new market opportunities, Vilsack continued.
The Dairy Outlook session will begin Friday at 3 p.m. Eastern time.
The two-day event also includes a lineup of distinguished guest speakers. The educational program will also include 30 breakout sessions covering six key areas: climate mitigation and adaptation; frontiers in ag innovation and production; US agricultural trade and global markets; commodity outlooks; equity and inclusion; and supply chain resilience.
Specific topics of discussion include the US food price outlook; US ag trade agenda and outlook; effects of shipping disruptions on US agriculture; building resilience through extreme event preparedness; new opportunities in the bio-based economy; and the farm income forecast.
Speakers will discuss China and factors upholding a high agricultural import demand; buffering the supply chain from shocks; transforming climate science into action; and assessing/managing production risk from climate models to field operations.
Other important topics include definitions and truth in food labeling; trends in conservation practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; addressing the heirs’ property challenge in land ownership and succession; and climatesmart innovations to improve food security.
The forum will wrap up with the organic outlook; Thrifty Food Plan; equity and inclusion advances; leveraging data to build resilient local and regional food systems; and innovations in forest restorations to combat wildfire crises.
Registration is free but required to participate.
For more information and to sign up online, visit www.usda.gov/oce/ag-outlook-forum
