On February 15-16, 2024, USDA hosted the 100th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, which is the department’s largest and premier annual gathering. The breadth and timeliness of the Ag Outlook Forum’s programs have consistently drawn a diverse group of farmers and ranchers, food and ag industry representatives, policymakers, government officials and non-governmental organizations, and this year was no different with 1700 attendees in person and thousands more online.
The theme for 2024 was "Cultivating the Future" and with that in mind, Secretary Vilsack opened the event with a keynote address underscoring USDA’s progress in creating a new model that allows agricultural producers of all sizes to thrive. This includes a focus on bolstering local and regional food systems, and creating new sources of revenue through renewable energy and ecosystem markets to build a future that is more profitable, sustainable, and resilient for American producers. Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small later moderated a panel of state agriculture commissioners, who spoke to the local impact of this model.
The 2024 Forum included speakers and topics spanning the agricultural industry, from climate-smart agriculture to Indigenous food practices to innovative farming practices and more. The opening plenary on the Forum’s second day focused on trade and featured virtual remarks by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and an in-person speech by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Additionally, Secretary Vilsack hosted a discussion with Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson and Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, where they addressed opportunities for U.S. ag exports in the global marketplace.
For more information about the Forum program, visit the event site
Recordings of all Forum sessions are available
On Demand
Presentation slides are available on the
AOF 2024 Program page