Welcome / Introduction

Dr. Douglas Buhler, Office of Research and Innovation, Michigan State University

Keynote - The Misinformation Dilemma: The Intersection Between Science and Food. 
Timothy Caulfield, Canadian professor of law at the University of Alberta, the research director of its Health Law Institute, and current Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy  
 

Plenary: The Food and Nutritional Security Puzzle
Food is a basic human right, however, establishing more localized food systems to alleviate food insecurity remains a challenge. How can we unify the production and supply of sufficient food with the ability to provide access to food for all people?

Moderator: Helena Bottemiller Evich, Food Fix 

Panelists:

• Ramesh Chand, NITI Aayog, Government of India
• Constance Cullman, American Feed Industry Association
• Anupama Joshi, Center for Science in the Public Interest

Just as there are many ways to farm, there are many thoughts on how we best mitigate climate change. Everyone has their opinion, but is there just one right answer to such a big problem? Will proposed policy and regulatory changes impact how we grow food and provide the balance we need? We’ll explore these questions and more.

Moderator: Teresa Siles, Nuffer, Smith, Tucker 

Panelists:

• Chip Bowling, Bowling Agri Service Inc
• Bruno Basso, Michigan State University
• Scott Faber, Environmental Working Group

There are many driving forces behind our global food system, such as trade and population growth, and world events like wars and pandemics undeniably impact global food production and security. What lessons can we learn from current events that can help strengthen our food system?

Moderator: David Ortega,Michigan State University

Panelists:

• Matthew MacLachlan, USDA-ERS
• Ximena Bustillo, NPR
• Tom Madrecki, Consumer Brands Association
• Nick Allen, Own Brands, SpartanNash 

Communicating science is harder than ever, especially in the food space. With the erosion of trust in science, government, businesses, etc., how do we bridge the lack of understanding and show the importance and value of scientific innovation.

Moderator: Anthony LaFauce, Clyde Group

Panelists:

• Prof. Gassama Yaye Kene, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD), Senegal 
• Silvia Dmitrescu, International Food Information Council (IFIC)
• Genevieve O'Sullivan, CropLife America

Food insecurity is a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Government policies play a critical role in mitigating or creating food insecurity. In this session, representatives from U.S. agencies, industry, academia will discuss agricultural trade priorities with a focus on those relevant to the pesticide industry and impact of these policies on food insecurity.

Moderator: Bill Tomson, Agri-Pulse

Panelists:

• Mallory Gaines, American Feed Industry Association
• Dr. Jason Grant, Virginia Tech
• Craig Thorn, DTB Associates LLP

Building a resilient food system is a complex process requiring innovation and partnership across diverse stakeholders (famers, ranchers, fishers, foragers, food processors, distributors, and consumers) at every step within the food system (food production, distribution, marketing, and consumption). Food systems have always been vulnerable to hazards like pests and bad weather, and with climate-related shocks and stressors adding to existing hazards, this is a critical time to discuss solutions that mitigate these vulnerabilities in a sustainable way to ensure long-term food and nutritional security.

Moderator: Jerry Hagstrom, The Hagstrom Report

Panelists:

• Md. Arif Hossein, Farming Future Bangladesh
• Dr. Dru Montri, Feeding America
• Craig Rickard, Ceresmore Farms Limited
• Dr. George Smith, Michigan State University 

Closing Keynote and Fireside Chat

•    The Honorable Thomas Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture 
•    Ali Zaidi, National Climate Advisor 
 

Dr. Karim Maredia, International Programs, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University