By Blake Jackson
Fulton Bank's annual agriculture seminar faced an unexpected challenge in 2023 when a half-foot snowfall forced its cancellation. Undeterred, farmers showcased their resilience, plowing through the snow to attend the rescheduled Grasstravaganza 2024: Plant Graze – Growing Resilient Grazing Systems, a one-day conference at SUNY Morrisville.
The event kicked off with U.S. Rep. Glenn "G.T." Thompson, the first House Agriculture Committee chairman from Pennsylvania since 1855. Thompson, instrumental in crafting a responsive Farm Bill, teamed up with David Kohl, an agricultural economics professor, turning their seminar into a town hall meeting and listening session.
Topics included safeguarding crop insurance, expanding global markets, emphasizing research for innovation, and strengthening the dairy industry. Thompson highlighted his Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, awaiting Senate consideration after passing the House in December.
Dr. Hayley Springer, a Penn State Extension veterinarian, addressed farm biosecurity, citing concerns about avian influenza, African swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease. She urged proactive biosecurity planning, emphasizing commonsense measures like footwear hygiene and animal testing.
After lunch, Kohl returned with a presentation on "Future-Proofing Your Business and Life for Success." Linking global trends to U.S. indicators, he discussed de-globalization, trade realignment, and the challenge of developing a new world currency.
Kohl stressed staying informed about world events, citing Brazil's agricultural expansion and cautioning against the U.S. becoming a secondary supplier. Economic indicators, like a healthy propane industry, were highlighted, and he urged interpreting data considering multiple factors.
Comparing China and India's economies, Kohl emphasized America's need to navigate their competition. He drew parallels between technology acceptance stages, using electric cars as an example, and predicted potential job shortages with the rise of artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, Kohl underscored agriculture's central role in global success, outlining four cornerstones for business and lifestyle success: planning, strategizing, executing, and monitoring. Attendees were challenged to follow these steps.
Sponsored by USDA-NRCS and SUNY Morrisville, supported by Cornell Cooperative Extension and NOFA-NY, the conference offered valuable insights, practical knowledge, and networking opportunities for those passionate about resilient grazing systems and sustainable agriculture.
Despite Nature's curveball, Grasstravaganza 2024 became a testament to the agricultural community's adaptability and determination, symbolizing the sector's ability to weather unexpected challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.
Photo Credit: visionphotodisc-photo
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Education