Skip to main content

PHOTO RELEASE: MDARD Director Boring Joins USDA’s 100th Ag Outlook Forum Highlighting Michigan Food and Agriculture

Boring discusses Governor’s budget recommendations, importance of implementing a Farm to Family Program

Washington, D.C. – Climate smart agriculture. Diversification of crops grown. Helping to get fresh Michigan produce from farms to families. These were the key topics discussed by panelists, including Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring, during the United States Department of Agriculture’s 100th Ag Outlook Forum held in Washington, DC on February 15, 2024.

"Today at USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum, Secretary Vilsack spoke about envisioning greater possibilities for agriculture, from addressing climate change to better economic outlooks for farms. In Michigan, our work to build resilient and diverse production and food systems benefits from a close working relationship with USDA to achieve these goals. It’s a privilege to share our work building a brighter future for people with an international audience," said Boring. "Programs such as the $4 million Farm to Family in Governor Whitmer’s recommended budget demonstrate Michigan’s leadership across the nation and world delivering for greater prosperity for people." 

The theme of this year’s Ag Outlook Forum is, “Cultivating the Future,” and is the USDA’s largest annual meeting, attracting as many as 6,000 in person and virtual attendees from the U.S. and abroad. The Forum offers opportunities for exchanging ideas, information and best practices among producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations, both domestic and foreign. During the Forum, USDA’s Chief Economist Dr. Seth Meyer unveils USDA’s Outlook for the domestic agricultural economy and trade for the year.

The Forum had approximately 1,000 attendees in person and even more online representing state and federal policy leaders, researchers, industry leaders, non-governmental organizations, students and international agriculture government leaders.

For more information on the USDA Ag Outlook Forums and reports released this year, visit their website at https://www.usda.gov/oce/ag-outlook-forum/commodity-outlooks

Ag_Outlook1

Ag_Outlook2

###

Media Contact:

Author: