MIDWES T Agriculture Summit

The Midwest plays a critical role in agriculture. As an agricultural hub that the world relies on for essential crops, livestock, equipment and other products, it is vital to have conversations that convene leaders and policymakers to promote and protect this sector. The Chamber organizes the annual Midwest Agriculture Summit to inform community members and drive conversation to influence the agriculture sector.

June 6, community members gathered at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds to hear from experts and policymakers from across the region and nation as they unpacked, discussed and took an in-depth look at the dynamic facets of the agricultural sector, including policies and pressing issues. Not only was this event available to the FMWF Metro, but it was also available via livestream, bringing in virtual attendees from across the country to listen to and watch this important event.

Dr. Walter Kemmsies opened as keynote speaker for the 2023 Midwest Agriculture Summit. Kemmsies laid the groundwork by introducing his presentation on What Matters Most to U.S. Agriculture. Kemmsies used his time on stage to clarify the mixed messages that often float around the topics of the U.S. economy, inflation and workforce.

Dr. Greg Lardy moderated the Farm Bill Panel as Dr. Scott Brown and Collin Peterson shared the importance of working together when it comes to the legislative process. It has been extremely vital to get folks concerned about nutrition to be on board with policies outlined within the farm bill, as there have been issues in the past getting the two on the same page for farm policy needs.

“You can’t get a farm bill done without bipartisan support,” Peterson explained. “You can’t do farm policy without having both parties at the table.” Because the debt ceiling is being addressed in a new bill, the likelihood of the farm bill getting done in 2023 is higher, as the debt ceiling bill helps nutrition programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expand their funding. This is great news for the agriculture sector, because, as Peterson later explained, “SNAP and nutrition need to be aligned to the farm bill for it to succeed.”

COLLIN PETERSON Former U.S. Representative

When asked about the programs making the most significant impact on the farm bill, Peterson said, “Crop insurance. Crop insurance. Crop insurance. I think there is no question in our part of the world that that is the safety net. That has been probably the most important thing our farmers rely on.”

Dr. Scott Brown and Collin Peterson greatly advocated for our Midwestern farmers, as they discussed and dissected the need for crop insurance to be properly implemented into the Farm Bill. The two dove into the intricacies of the varying climates of the United States and their different needs for safety nets, the volatile shifts we see in the agricultural markets, and other factors that can make it difficult to find a one-size-fits-all solution.

Partner,

DR. SCOTT BROWN Associate Extension Professor, University of Missouri - Columbia

“This is an opportunity to put this region in a super charge position and to maintain that level of low-cost production agriculture, as well as position us globally as far as being a technology leader.”

President & CEO Montana Chamber of Commerce

T odd O’Hair, Montana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Todd’ O’Hair and RDO Equipment Co. President of Field Technology, Adam Gilbertson drove conversation around the future of North Dakota technology and agriculture. The pair discussed how North Dakota and Montana each have strengths that together would position the two states well when it comes to agriculture and technology.

“This is an opportunity to set the new course for how we will be competitive in the United States, how we will be competitive globally,” claimed Gilbertson. “While I’m a native of the Red River Valley - grew up in this area, went to college here, came through the ROTC program at NDSU, I actually live in Billings, Montana.”

He continued on say, “Being able to partner in this effort together, bringing the state’s together, and working ith a number of business across the region is a pretty exciting thing for us all to be involved in.”

Following O’Hair and Gilbertson, the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) panel took the stage to discuss ESG in our region. Panelists included Jared Knock, Business

Developer at AgSpire; Michael Reese, Director at the West Central Research and Outreach Center; Kayla Ver Helst, Sustainability Office at Bank of North Dakota; and moderator, Jeff Schmidt, Chief Risk Officer for AgCountry.

The panel explored the multifaceted aspects of ESG, including challenges and opportunities presented for businesses across various sectors.

To close out the event, Collin Peterson returned to the stage with USDA Undersecretary, Xochitl Torres Small, to discuss rural development and the diversity of rural America. From affordable housing to high speed internet, Torres Small dove into the various facets of rural development needs and shared her thoughts on just how to serve this demographic.

“So much of what we do relies on having a relationship with you.”

XOCHITL TORRES SMALL

Under Secretary, United States Department of Agriculture