Media Advisory: USDA's 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum - Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century

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Media Advisory No. 0016.15

Contact:
Brenda Chapin 202-720-5447

USDA’s 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum – Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century

Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Virginia

Thursday, February 19

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2015—One of agriculture’s preeminent annual conferences begins Thursday, Feb. 19. USDA has hosted the Agricultural Outlook Forum since 1923 providing farmers and ranchers, government, and agribusinesses with sound information for decision-making.

Press will be seated in a media area of the Arlington Ballroom. Admittance requires that media present their press credentials to obtain a Forum Press badge at either the pre-registration desk in Skywalk area or at the Arlington Registration desk after 10:30 am. The McLean Room (second floor) will have live audio feed of the plenary session and wireless connections (space available basis).

Online Press registration closes Feb. 12 COB www.usda.gov/oce/forum. Plenary broadcast posted Feb. 19 after 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 19
A.M.

8:00     Welcome: Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden

8:05     Acting Chief Economist Robert Johansson: Outlook for U.S. Agriculture in 2015. Presentation will be available in press room (McLean Room/2nd floor) and online at 8:05 a.m. Feb. 19: www.usda.gov/oce/forum

8:30     Dr. Richard Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations: Food, Foreign Policy & International Order

9:00     EU Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, joins Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to discuss domestic and international agriculture.

10:00   Break

10:05   Secretary Vilsack and Commissioner Hogan hold a press availability.
Location: Salon K

10:30   Secretary Tom Vilsack Moderates Plenary Panel
Innovation, Biotechnology, and Big Data

• Cory J. Reed, John Deere and Company
• Dr. Robert T. Fraley, Monsanto
• Mary Kay Thatcher, American Farm Bureau Federation
• Dr. Robert Sutor, IBM Corporation

P.M.

12:00   Panel Ends

6:30     Dinner Speaker: Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agriculture Negotiator, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: TPP & T-TIP: Unlocking Economic Opportunity & Advancing American Leadership in Agriculture

Press Room Hours (McLean Room)
Thursday – 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday – 6:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Press Room phone during hours:703-271-5158
USDA Office of Communications: 202-720-4623

Thursday, February 19
USDA Forum Photos will be posted online here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/sets/72157650106167239/
For coverage of the Forum, follow @USDA and #AgOutlook

Friday, February 20
USDA Commodity Outlook Speeches will be posted online at 7 a.m. at www.usda.gov/oce/forum  and simultaneously available in hard copy at the Forum in the press room and outside the Arlington Ballroom.

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