The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened registration for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event, themed "Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today," is scheduled to take place at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on February 27-28, 2025. For those unable to attend in person, all sessions will be available via livestream.

A highlight of the forum will be a presentation by USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer on the 2025 outlook for the U.S. agricultural economy and trade. The program also includes a plenary panel with distinguished guest speakers and 30 breakout sessions organized by USDA agencies. These sessions will cover various current issues such as commodity and food price forecasts, farm income, U.S. and global agricultural trade, biofuels' future, climate change strategies, and biotechnology advancements. Attendees can also visit exhibit booths from different USDA agencies to learn about recent innovations funded by the department.

In conjunction with the forum, the Future Leaders in Agriculture Program offers a unique opportunity for students pursuing agriculture-related studies. This initiative selects 20 undergraduate and graduate students for a weeklong trip to Washington D.C., where they engage in USDA briefings, explore career opportunities with leaders across academia, government, and industry sectors, attend the forum itself, and tour significant sites in the capital. Participants receive complimentary registration along with transportation and lodging.

The USDA emphasizes its role in impacting Americans daily under the Biden-Harris Administration by focusing on resilient local food production systems and fair markets for producers while ensuring safe access to nutritious food nationwide. The department is committed to creating new markets through climate-smart practices and investing significantly in rural infrastructure while promoting equity within its workforce.

For more information about these initiatives or to register for the forum, visit www.usda.gov.