National experts including Keynote Austan Goolsbee with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to share insights to manage farm volatility

Registration opened today for the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) Economic Summit: Pressures and Opportunities slated for June 14 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The summit is designed to provide farmers with information into the key factors impacting today’s volatile farm economy, what that means for Iowa agriculture moving forward and how to mitigate economic pressures and leverage opportunities.  

Dr. Austan Goolsbee, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, headlines the 2024 IFBF Economic Summit with a ‘fireside chat’ with IFBF President Brent Johnson, providing members valuable insight into the U.S. macroeconomy. The summit will be Dr. Goolsbee’s first public appearance directly following the June Federal Open Market Committee meeting. 

“Extreme weather, volatile market swings, geopolitics and international trade all contribute to an uncertain future for many Iowa farmers,” said Dr. Christopher Pudenz, IFBF economics and research manager. “That’s why we’re bringing together a wide variety of experts in risk management, banking, trade and emerging markets to shed some light on what market challenges farmers can expect this year and options to help overcome those challenges and continue to thrive.”

Participants will also gain insights from Frank Kelly, founder and managing partner of Fulcrum Macro, about world macroeconomics and geopolitics impacting agriculture. Tyne Morgan, host of the U.S. Farm Report, will host and moderate an ag lending panel. Additional sessions include a meat panel featuring a retailer, meat packer and cattle feeder; a panel providing updates on the U.S./Mexico trade situation; and discussion on crafting pre-harvest marketing plans to help navigate challenging grain market conditions. More information about the agenda and speakers can be found here. 

IFBF’s Economic Summit: Pressures and Opportunities kicks off with a networking reception for attendees Thursday, June 13 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny and continues with presentations and panels on Friday, June 14. 

Summit registration, which includes access to the reception on June 13, all presentations and lunch on June 14, is $40 for Farm Bureau members and $200 for non-members before May 31. Registration is limited for the Economic Summit, so interested parties are encouraged to secure a spot today. Visit www.iowafarmbureau.com or contact Stacy Stevens (515-225-5633; sstevens@ifbf.org) for more information.

Media credentials can be obtained from Andrew Wheeler at awheeler@ifbf.org.