Ag Outlook Forum

USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum provides a unique opportunity for people in the industry to meet, exchange ideas, and discuss timely issues at the forefront of agriculture.

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Seth Meyer discusses how the annual Forum has evolved.

"This year's forum is themed "The Roots of Prosperity," and the opening plenary session will feature keynote remarks from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, welcoming comments from Deputy Secretary Steve Censky, and "The 2018 Economic Outlook for Agriculture" presented by USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson. Along with the plenary presentations, attendees can choose from 30 sessions with more than 90 speakers and a host of agriculture-related exhibits. Among the concurrent track sessions and topics supporting this year's theme are International Markets, Trade, and Agricultural Policies Here and Abroad for Brazil, Sub-Saharan Africa, and China; Rural Broadband; The Economic Impact of Opioids on Rural America; Responding to Hurricane Disasters; Animal Disease Outbreak Preparedness; Water Quality and Conservation; Food Safety; Right Sizing Regulation; and the annual commodity outlooks and luncheons.

Now in its 94th year, the Agricultural Outlook Forum is the USDA's largest annual meeting, attracting as many as 2,000 attendees from the U.S. and abroad. The forum highlights key issues and topics within the agricultural community, offering a platform for conversation among producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations, both foreign and domestic.

Early arrivals may take part in two pre-forum field trips: a farm conservation tour of a working family farm in Maryland or a tour of the Beltsville Agricultural Center and National Arboretum. The nominal fee includes transportation and a boxed lunch.

USDA's Agricultural Outlook Forum is set to take place February 22nd and 23rd in Washington DC..