-Dr. Greg Lardy, vice president for agricultural affairs, North Dakota State University
The 2024 Midwest Agriculture Summit, held at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in the Butler Machinery Arena, converged key agricultural leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and community members, all uniting to shape the future of agriculture in the Midwest.
Vice President for Agricultural Affairs Dr. Greg Lardy and Joe and Norma Peltier opened the event, emphasizing the vital role agriculture plays in the region’s economy, history, and future. He highlighted the contributions of The Chamber’s Agribusiness Committee in shaping the Summit’s agenda, emphasizing the importance of policy decisions, innovation, research, and sustainability in agriculture. The Summit addressed the challenges and opportunities within the industry, with a focus on the Midwest’s unique contributions to agricultural innovation and sustainability.
The first speaker, Billi Hunt, executive director for America’s Cultivation Corridor, provided industry insights on the next generation of agriculture. She discussed the evolution of generational perspectives, the impact of social media trends, and the industry’s ongoing concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and water availability. She emphasized the importance of sharing information to broaden participation and awareness in agricultural advancements.
A panel discussion on agricultural commodities, moderated by Bobby Ness, senior vice president of food and agribusiness for Bremer Bank, provided deep insights into the Farm Bill, global supply chain disruptions and the role of AgTech. Panelists Josh Gackle, American Soybean Association, Krista Swanson, National Corn Growers Association, and Neil Rockstad, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, shared their perspectives on the challenges within their industries and the importance of educational partnerships in supporting agriculture.
Zach Ducheneaux, administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency, discussed future agricultural policies and the critical role of financial support in agriculture. He shared personal anecdotes about the impacts of past farm policies and emphasized the importance of supporting early adopters of agricultural innovation.
Dr. Hollie Mackey, CEO of FARMS, presented the importance of investing in agricultural technology to advance the region, emphasizing the need to accelerate innovation now that the resources are available. Dr. Mackey discussed the agricultural ecosystem, the necessity of finding solutions for future leaders, and how FARMS is actively engaged in research to further advance agricultural technology.
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This was followed by the next discussion into Industry Insights from Bruce Rastetter, founder and executive chairman of Summit Agricultural Group, who explored carbon capture and its potential to expand markets for agriculture. He discussed the significance of biofuels, ethanol, and sustainable airline fuel in driving farmer profits and enhancing sustainability.
The Midwest Agriculture Summit fostered collaboration, learning, and forward-thinking. Insights from industry experts, engaging panel discussions, and a focus on innovation and sustainability highlighted agriculture’s critical role in the Midwest and beyond.
Watch the Conference!
If you missed the livestream, have no fear! You can watch the full summit conference on the FMWF Chamber YouTube channel by scanning the QR code.
Dr. William Wilson, distinguished professor of agribusiness and applied economics at North Dakota State University, delivered a comprehensive keynote address on the current and future state of agriculture. Wilson highlighted the significant changes driven by technology, the impact of climate change, and the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in agriculture. He also discussed international market dynamics, trade policies, and the geopolitical implications of global conflicts on the agriculture industry.
Jenna Mueller, executive director of the FMWF Chamber Foundation, discussed workforce initiatives under the Good Jobs Challenge. She shared the successes of their pilot implementation, which trained over 100 participants, and announced the launch of the first Agriculture Industry Sector Partnership, which will take place at Big Iron.