USDA hosting Agricultural Outlook Forum Feb. 20-21

The USDA has announced the speakers for its Agricultural Outlook Forum, called "The Changing Face of Agriculture."

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be moderating two general session panels on the "Future of Agriculture." The first panel will include Administrator of the U. S. Agency for International Development Rajiv Shah; President of the Produce Marketing Association Cathy Burns; and Kellee James, founder and CEO of Mercaris, a market trading platform for organic agricultural commodities.

The second panel features Executive Director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Michael O'Gorman; Joanna Carraway, a young Kentucky farmer who won the 2013 Top Producer Horizon Award; Greg Wegis, who operates a 17,600-acre vegetable and nut farm in California; and the Interim Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition, Emily Oakley.

Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will moderate an afternoon panel titled "A Roadmap for Women in Agriculture." Panelists include corn and soybean farmer Kate Danner; Director of Government Relations for Land O' Lakes Autumn Veazey; and Director of Specialty Crops for the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation Debbie Hamrick.

USDA's Chief Economist Joseph Glauber will deliver the 2014 Agricultural & Foreign Trade Outlooks. The Forum's dinner speaker will be U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman.

The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance will host a live streaming Food Dialogues on their website, titled "Nurtition: Who is Shaping America's Eating Habits?"

Registration is $375 until Jan. 21, 2014, and $425 thereafter. Plenary speeches will be webcast after 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 21, and breakout session speeches and presentations will be posted online after 6 p.m. Feb. 21.

To register visit the USDA website.