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WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2023 – On Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will participate in the 99th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, the largest annual meeting and premier event of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and visit a family owned and operated farm with Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture. This year’s Agricultural Outlook Forum is titled “U.S. Agriculture: Seeds of Growth Through Innovation.”
On Thursday, Secretary Vilsack will deliver the keynote address. In his remarks, he will highlight the need to transition rural America to a “circular economy” – one where the wealth and opportunities created in rural America stay there, and USDA’s efforts to make that type of economy more prevalent in rural areas across the United States through its efforts to transform the food system, create more, new and better markets, and embrace climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
Following his remarks, Secretary Vilsack will moderate a panel discussion titled “Workers and the Workforce: Essential Contributors to American Agriculture,” which will unpack the challenges around supply and demand of labor in U.S. agriculture and potential solutions being explored, including support for essential workers, increasing access to guest worker programs, and technology and innovation advancements.
Upon the conclusion of the panel, Secretary Vilsack will participate in an in-person press conference with members of the media.
On Friday, Secretary Vilsack will participate in a discussion with Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, during which they will highlight their respective visions for sustainable agriculture and how domestic policies as well as transatlantic cooperation can help address challenges facing global agriculture.
Later that day, Secretary Vilsack and Commissioner Wojciechowski will travel to a family owned and operated farm in Carroll County, Maryland. There, they will see and hear more firsthand about the innovative, cutting-edge climate-smart practices employed by American producers across the U.S., as well as USDA’s efforts to increase farmers’ access to these practices through opportunities like Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, which will expand markets for America’s climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers.
Registration is required for both virtual and in-person attendance of the Agricultural Outlook Forum and can be done here. Media members wishing to participate in the in-person press conference on Thursday and/or receive arrival instructions for Friday’s event in Carroll County, Maryland must RSVP to press@xxxxxxxx. For reporters interested in attending Friday’s event in Carroll County, Maryland, there will be a limited number of seats available in a USDA-sponsored van on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP to press@xxxxxxxx if you are interested in the transportation accommodation.
Thursday, February 23
WHO: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
WHAT: Vilsack to Deliver Keynote Address at USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum
WHEN: Thursday, February 23 at 8:45 AM EST
WHERE: Crystal City Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA. Register here to receive viewing and arrival instructions.
WHO: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
WHAT: Workers and the Workforce: Essential Contributors to American Agriculture
WHEN: Thursday, February 23 at 9:10 AM EST
WHERE: Crystal City Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA. Register here to receive viewing and arrival instructions.
Friday, February 24
WHO: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack & European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski
WHAT: A Conversation Between the Secretary and Commissioner about Transatlantic Engagement on Agricultural Sustainability
WHEN: Friday, February 24 at 8:30 AM EST
WHERE: Crystal City Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA. Register here to receive viewing and arrival instructions.
WHO: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack & European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski
WHAT: Visit to Maryland Climate-Smart Farm
WHEN: Friday, February 24 in the late morning
WHERE: Carroll County, MD. Please RSVP to press@xxxxxxxx to receive arrival instructions. For reporters interested in attending Friday’s event in Carroll County, Maryland, there will be a limited number of seats available through a USDA-sponsored van on a first-come, first-served basis. RSVP to press@xxxxxxxx if you are interested in the transportation accommodation.
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