|
|
Welcome to the quarterly Catalyst newsletter. This edition includes:
- New Next Gen Program: CAFE Student Workshop
- Farm Family Wellness Alliance Services Launch
- April Farm Foundation Forum on Plastic Packaging
- Two New Issue Reports on Plastic Packaging and Sustainability Lexicon
- The 2023 Farm Foundation Impact Report
- Innovation and Education Center Project Update
- And More!
| |
Undergraduates from 1890 land-grant institutions are invited to apply to the CAFE (Careers in Ag and Food Exploration) Student Workshop, Farm Foundation's newest Next Generation program. The CAFE Student Workshop will take place at North Carolina A&T University Farm Pavilion over two days on May 20-21, 2024. During this time, students will participate in a variety of sessions which will provide an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the food and agricultural sector and the myriad career opportunities available therein. APPLY BY APRIL 8 | |
Farm Family Mental Health and Wellbeing Services Revolutionized | |
A landmark alliance has launched free, anonymous, online mental health and wellbeing services to provide a nationwide safety net of confidential and on-demand support to farmers, ranchers and farm families. Unveiled at the American Farm Bureau Federation 2024 Convention, Farm Family Wellness Alliance’s groundbreaking solution harnesses the best resource to build farm family wellness—access to a community, including a network of farmers and ranchers who understand the challenges and rewards that come with the agricultural way of life. Farm Foundation is the founding member of the alliance. LEARN MORE | |
Register for the Upcoming Farm Foundation Forum®: Unwrapping Packaging Regulations Impacting Agricultural Trade and Sustainability
| |
|
The April 2024 Farm Foundation® Forum, Unwrapping Packaging Regulations Impacting Agricultural Trade and Sustainability, will look at packaging rules and regulations impacting US growers and companies, with a specific look at packaging in the fruit and vegetable supply chains. As countries and companies look to limit their packaging footprint, this Farm Foundation Forum will explore how proposed regulations might not only impact supply chains and global food and ag trade but also producers. REGISTER TODAY
| |
Two Issue Reports Now Available | |
|
This Farm Foundation Issue Report evaluates the economic implications of Environmental and Climate Change Canada’s proposed plastic packaging restrictions for retail prices and per capita fresh fruit and vegetable availability for Canadian consumers under alternative import supply reduction scenarios.
READ THE REPORT
| |
|
|
This Farm Foundation Issue Report provides an overview of the lexicon of sustainable agriculture. It also summarizes consumer understanding of what is meant by sustainable agriculture.
READ THE REPORT
| |
|
Farm Foundation 2023 Impact Report Available | | |
|
|
As we complete our 90th anniversary year, we are launching our inaugural impact report highlighting a few metrics and impact stories from 2023 along with highlights from our 90 years.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
| |
Innovation and Education Center Project Update | | |
|
A mild winter has helped the construction of the Innovation and Education Center stay smooth and on schedule. With a grand opening anticipated for the fall, final preparations such as awarding naming sponsors for individual spaces in the IEC are being made. If you would like to explore the opportunities available at this new facility, such as booking an AG101 Bootcamp for your team or otherwise utilizing the campus, please reach out. | |
Farm Foundation Project News | |
Farm Foundation organizes project work on four strategic priorities: conservation and sustainability, digital agriculture, farmer health, and market development and access. | |
US/EU Trade
In the last week of October, Farm Foundation headed to Brussels to host a pair of roundtable discussions on the impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation. Participants included representatives from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, as well as European stakeholders, third country attachés, and industry representatives.
| |
|
Young Farmers
On February 28, 2024, Farm Foundation sponsored a roundtable discussion on “The Challenges of Young Farmers in the 21st Century,” held at the Hôtel de Talleyrand in Paris, France, on the margins of the annual Salon International de l’Agriculture. The event was organized by the U.S. Embassy in Paris to encourage discussion as farmer protests are spreading across Europe and as policy makers in France, Germany, and the United States are eager support young farmers.
| |
Agricultural Biotechnology
On February 14, Farm Foundation and the European Food Forum held the Innovation in Agricultural Biotechnology Dinner Dialogue in Washington D.C. The event's focus was the exchange of perspectives on science, policy, and trade issues surrounding current innovations in agricultural biotechnology.
| |
|
|
If your organization is interested in partnering with us on these or other initiatives in these important areas affecting agriculture, please contact us to start the conversation.
| | | |
Farm Foundation Next Generation Program News | | |
|
The January 2024 Cultivators presented their research at the Round Table meeting in Waikoloa Beach, Hawai'i. The meeting, which was held January 17-19, 2024, had a theme of "The Business of Farming: Reality, Resilience and Return on Investment." | |
2024 Ag Scholars Attend Ag Outlook Forum
The 2024 Farm Foundation USDA Economic Research Service Agricultural Scholars travelled to Washington D.C. along with several Farm Foundation staff to attend the USDA 100th Annual Agricultural Forum. During the two-day event, held February 15th and 16th, the group of 20 Ag Scholars learned about the economic outlook of commodities and various agricultural issues. READ MORE
| |
|
2023 Ag Scholars Attend WASDE Meeting
The 2023 Farm Foundation USDA Economic Research Service Agricultural Scholars travelled to Washington D.C. to attend the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) briefing. In addition, they met with Joe Parsons, associate administrator of NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service), staff from the Agricultural Statistics Board, and Kelly McGuire, assistant administrator for the Economic Research Service (ERS).
| |
Next Generation Alum News: Recently four Next Generation alums were named to leadership positions on the 2024-2025 National MANRRS Executive Committee. Also, a former Ag Scholar published a report with USDA ERS. READ MORE | |
Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities to further scale our Next Generation programs to provide even greater support and more opportunities to our outstanding program participants. | |
Advancing the Role of Trade and Agricultural Sustainability | | |
|
On February 16, the Global Forum for Farm Policy and Innovation (GFFPI) held a small group luncheon discussion, Advancing the Role of Trade and Agricultural Sustainability, to discuss the recently released report Advancing the Role of Trade and Agricultural Sustainability. The report is based on the inaugural public-private workshop led by GFFPI in October 2023 at the OECD, with the support of Australia, the Netherlands and Japan, brought together representatives from the OECD Member States and Secretariat, the agri-food industry, thought leaders and subject matter experts from across Europe, North America, Japan and Australia to unpack the role of trade in enhancing agricultural sustainability. | |
2024 Agricultural Economics Fellow Announced | | |
|
Farm Foundation has named Dr. Sandro Steinbach as its 2024 Agricultural Economics Trade and Sustainability Fellow. Steinbach is an associate professor of agribusiness and applied economics at North Dakota State University with primary research interests in international trade and agricultural policy. His most recent work is focused on the implications of market and policy shocks on global supply chains and investment activities. READ MORE | |
Farm Foundation Out and About | |
|
This past October, Farm Foundation President and CEO Shari Rogge-Fidler moderated a discussion at the International Dairy Federation’s World Dairy Summit between US Secretary Vilsack and former EU Ag and Trade Commissioner, Phil Hogan.
In January, she spoke on a panel on the future of food and agriculture at FARMCON2024.
| | |
|
As a member of a delegation from Solutions from the Land, Shari was one the farmer voices heard at the recent 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. In this blog post, Shari reflects on her experience at COP28. She also spoke at the Agri-Food Systems Summit at COP28. A transcript of her comments and a recording of the session are available here. | |
Upcoming Events and Key Dates | |
April 30, 2024: Farm Foundation® Forum, Unwrapping Packaging Regulations Impacting Agricultural Trade and Sustainability
May 20-21, 2024: CAFE (Careers in Ag and Food Exploration) Student Workshop
June 19-21, 2024: Round Table meeting in Broomfield, Colorado
July 29, 2024: Farm Foundation reception at AAEA in New Orleans
| |
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. | | | | |
