Developing talent focus of international conference

Leaders from government industry, academia and non-governmental organizations representing more than 40 countries will gather June 18-20 in Atlanta, Ga. for the 23rd Annual International Food and Agribusiness Management Association World Forum and Symposium.
The overarching theme of the event "The Road to 2050: The Talent Factor" will focus on how to develop and sustain talent across the diverse value chain of global food production — from smallholder farmers in emerging regions of the world to the sophisticated commercial agriculture practices in mature economies. Agriculture leaders will examine the technologies and talent development approaches that have the potential to propel agribusiness towards the achievement of global food security. Participants will experience tangible examples of successful models and discuss how these principles can be applied with impact and relevance.
The World Forum will feature more than 60 speakers across three days. Program highlights include:

• Global Food Security Index Workshop-During this invitation only event, experts from the Economist Intelligence Unit will examine top drivers of food security across 105 countries through the Global Food Security Index. This interactive tool developed by the intelligence unit and commissioned by DuPont, assesses malnutrition, hunger, food affordability, availability and quality and other core issues impacting the global food supply.
• Mobilizing a New Generation for Agriculture-Dwight Armstrong, CEO, National Future Farmers of America Organization
• Achieving Food Security-James Borel, Executive Vice President, DuPont
• Future Faces of Agriculture-Carl Casale, CEO, CHS Inc.
• Pass on the Gift: Building Sustainable and Self-Reliant Capacity-Pierre Ferrari, President, Heifer International
• Revolution of Responsibility: Engaging the Next Generation-Don Floyd, President and CEO, National 4-H Council
• Supply Chains that Create Value and Prevent Waste-Tim Fox, Head of Energy and Environment, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Establishing a Common Language: Benchmarking Platforms for Agriculture-Kevin Igli, Senior Vice President, Chief Environmental Health and Safety Officer, Tyson Foods
• Partnering to Foster Sustainability of Animal Agriculture: McDonald's Vision-Bob Langert, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, McDonald's
• Elevating Education in Agriculture-Sonny Ramaswamy, Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture
• Women as the Engine of Agriculture in Africa-Vickie Wilde, Director, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development
World Forum sessions and the entire conference agenda and registration information are available online. The news media are invited to attend the world forum and symposium and conduct interviews before and during the event.