Midwest Agricultural Summit Recap

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.