Speakers will discuss key agricultural issues and opportunities.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced two speakers for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum, titled “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” coming Feb. 27-28, 2025.
Jeff Schmid, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will speak in the a.m. session on Feb. 27. His address will provide insights into his outlook for the macroeconomy and monetary policy, drawing from his role as the leader of the Federal Reserve’s Tenth District, which spans much of the central United States and includes a significant agricultural presence.
A USDA news release said Jeff Schmid will offer his perspective on the economy and monetary policy, focusing on the important agricultural regions of the United States.
In the evening dinner session, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen will take the stage. He will outline his vision for making Nebraska a leader in developing a biobased economy, all while promoting practices that maximize the state’s agricultural productivity.
“Nebraska’s future lies in harnessing the potential of its agricultural resources to drive innovation and economic growth,” Governor Pillen stated in the release.
The forum will bring together government, industry and academic leaders to discuss critical issues in agriculture and explore opportunities to improve the well-being of farmers, businesses, consumers and the environment.
In addition to these keynotes, the 2025 Forum program will include a presentation from USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer on the 2025 outlook for the U.S. agricultural economy and trade. A plenary panel of distinguished guest speakers will also be featured, along with more than 30 breakout sessions organized by USDA agencies. Topics will cover commodity and food price forecasts, farm income, global agricultural trade, climate change mitigation strategies, and advancements in biotechnology. The event will also showcase exhibits from various USDA agencies, offering attendees information on key programs and recent USDA-funded innovations.
The 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum will take place in person at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va., and all sessions will be available via livestream on a virtual platform.
