Agricultural Trade Conference to Address Challenges and Opportunities for Global Agricultural and Forestry Exports

By Melissa Vidmar

The conference is in partnership with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and Port of Virginia.

The one-day event will bring producers, agribusinesses, exporters, land-grant university leadership, government officials, policymakers, distinguished guests, and agriculture students together.

The conference helps prepare the next generation of Virginia agriculture and forestry leaders and provides stakeholders with enriched discussions and insights into the industry's issues and challenges.

Virginia Tech impacts Virginia’s agriculture industry by producing and disseminating relevant research at its Blacksburg campus and throughout the state at various Agricultural Research and Extension Centers and through Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Keynote speakers include

• Matthew Lohr, secretary of agriculture and forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia, welcome address
• Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, agricultural trade and domestic policy update
• Daniel Whitley, administrator of the Foreign Agricultural, U.S. trade priorities

Panel discussions include

• Growing Virginia Agricultural Exports
• Opportunities in Africa
• Renewable Fuels, to include panel member and alumnus Owen Wagner

“The global economy is a critical marketing segment for Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industry,” said Jason Grant, the W.G. Wysor Professor of Agriculture and director of the Virginia Tech Center for Agricultural Trade. “The conference will provide an outlet for participants to discuss a shared vision on these impactful topics.”