Farm Foundation Impact & Insights 2025 Issue 1 | | |
Welcome to the latest edition of Catalyst, your go-to source for the latest updates from Farm Foundation! In this issue, we’re excited to share the impactful work we’ve been doing. We’re also refreshing this newsletter to bring you even more ways to connect and engage with us. Stay tuned for fresh content and new opportunities! Have feedback or ideas? We’d love to hear from you—reach out to our team anytime! | |
Meet Your Farmer Podcast-Season 1 | |
Farm Foundation has launched a new podcast, Meet Your Farmer. Season 1 samples the broad range of farming in the United States, speaking with farmers from different states, of various ages, genders, levels of experience, scales of operation, and employing various production strategies. | |
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Welcome Dr. Sunghun Lim our 2025 Agricultural Economics Trade and Sustainability Fellow! | |
Dr. Sunghun Lim is an Assistant Professor of International Agribusiness and Director of the LSU Global Value Chains Program in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at Louisiana State University.
Dr. Lim’s research focuses on Agricultural Global Value Chains (AGVCs) and their role in shaping the global food system by linking production, processing, and distribution across borders. Learn more
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To be eligible for this program, individuals must be a U.S. citizen, between the ages of 25 and 40, be employed in the agri-food industry and show significant leadership potential. Leaders can be nominated by anyone who knows them well, such as managers, colleagues, etc. Learn more about the program. | |
Unlock Growth at the Innovation & Education Campus | |
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Innovation & Education Campus
Looking for a unique space to host your next meeting, retreat, or training? Farm Foundation's Innovation and Education Campus is designed to inspire collaboration and foster learning. Located in the Chicagoland area, our campus offers modern meeting spaces surrounded by agricultural inspiration.
Why Choose Our Campus?
- Dynamic Spaces: Fully equipped rooms tailored for meetings, workshops, and corporate retreats.
- Inspiring Environment: Connect with the pulse of agriculture in a setting that fuels creativity.
- Custom Opportunities: Add an agricultural learning session such as our AG101 Bootcamps for a hands-on, immersive experience.
Learn more about how you can plan a meeting with Farm Foundation at the IEC.
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AG101 Bootcamps
Discover the foundations of food and agriculture through interactive sessions led by industry experts. Whether you’re new to the field or seeking to broaden your perspective, our bootcamps provide practical insights into the evolving agriculture, food, and policy landscape.
Why Choose Our Bootcamps?
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Hands-On Learning: Gain practical knowledge through interactive workshops and real-world applications.
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Expert-Led Sessions: Learn from seasoned professionals with deep industry experience and knowledge.
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Broaden Your Perspective: Enhance your understanding of the food and agriculture sector and work across your team to explore strategic initiatives that will help you meet your goals.
In 2025, we’re offering both company or organizational bootcamps and individual bootcamps. For company or organizational bootcamps, the ideal time to schedule is during the growing season from May through September. Our team will work with you to find a convenient date and create a personalized, engaging experience tailored to your team’s needs.
The dates for our individual bootcamps will be:
- May 14-15, 2025
- September 10-11, 2025
Learn more about planning your bootcamp experience with Farm Foundation.
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At the recent January Farm Foundation Round Table meeting, the careers of three remarkable Honorary Life Fellows were celebrated. John Kautz, Orion Samuelson, and Gary Baise have been dedicated to Farm Foundation for over 40 and 50 years. It was an honor to have Gary and Ann Baise join in person!
Please watch these heartfelt video tributes highlighting their incredible contributions and lasting impact.
Videos from left to right: John Kautz, Orion Samuelson, and Gary Baise
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Farm Foundation Collaboration | |
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Farm Foundation, in partnership with the UCANR Farm Robotics Challenge, hosted an insightful panel on the future of farm robotics. Moderated by Timothy Brennan Brennan, VP of Programs and Strategic Impact at Farm Foundation, the discussion featured Farm Foundation Round Table Fellows, third-generation farmer Klaas Martens, and President and Owner of Southern Hill Farms, David Hill, who shared valuable insights with student teams as they tackled real-world agricultural challenges.
Read more about the Farm Robotics Challenge.
If you would like to watch the panel discussion, you can access the full recording here:
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Farm Foundation Forums are designed to engage a full range of stakeholders in informed dialogue on timely food, agricultural and rural policy issues. | |
Archived materials for past Farm Foundation Forums are available on the Farm Foundation website and YouTube Channel. A few of our recent forums were: | |
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Tax Year 2025: Potential Impacts and Opportunities for Farmers and the Agriculture Sector
Watch the Recording
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Upcoming Events and Key Dates | |
February 26-28, 2025: Ag Outlook Forum (Farm Foundation Team Members attending)
March 14-16, 2025: 4-H Ignite (Farm Foundation Team Members attending)
March 18, 2025: Farm Foundation Forum
📣 Call to Action: Attending these event? Find time to meet our team.
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Farm Foundation is an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture. Our mission is to build trust and understanding at the intersections of agriculture and society. Our vision is to build a future for farmers, our communities, and our world. | | | | |
