Annual Meeting 2024
April 14-16, 2024
We have an exciting agenda planned for this year’s event including a keynote invitation to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Sunday - April 14
1:30 -4:00 p.m. - Smithsonian Behind the Scenes Tour of Agricultural Exhibits
Meet at the entrance at 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
6:00 p.m. - Dinner
New Heights Restaurant - 2317 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20008
This will be an informal gathering of those who are in town. NAAJ will pay for drinks and appetizers, and dinner is pay-on-your-own.
8:00 p.m. Fireside Chat with Clarisa Diaz, interim executive secretary-treasurer at the Cosmos Club lobby
Monday - April 15
Cosmos Club
2121 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - Reignite your regulatory watch: Insights from top Biden administration officials
Ron Snyder, EPA ag advisor (confirmed)
Robert Bonnie, USDA undersecretary (confirmed)
Jim Jones, FDA deputy commissioner of human foods (invited)
9:45 - 10:45 a.m. - AI, automation and emerging technology impacting food
Walt Duflock, Western Growers senior vice president innovation
Richard Hung, Assistant Director, Science, Technology Assessment and Analytics team, U.S. GAO
Peter Liebold, former Smithsonian historian
11:15 - 11:45 am Farmer Goes To Washington: Pennsylvania farmer Bill Beam
12 p.m. - Lunch
12:30 Lunch Keynote Speaker USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (confirmed)
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Farm to Fork: How Sustainability and ESG is transforming the food industry
Mike Aquino, International Dairy Foods Association, director ESG
Dan Christensen, PepsiCo senior director of government affairs
Eric Mittenthal, Meat Institute chief strategy officer
2:30-4:30 p.m. - Business Meeting
6-9 p.m. - Networking and Awards Reception
National Press Club
Awards will start at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16
Capitol Hill press conferences - SVC 214
10 a.m. - Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman, R-Ark.
11:00 a.m. - Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
11:30 a.m. - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa.
JUST CONFIRMED!
12:30-2 pm - The EU Embassy is preparing an exclusive NAAJ press event as part of our annual meeting with the newly appointed EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė including a tasting of EU food and drink specialties on April 16, from 12:30 to 2 pm. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly. (More information below)
Food Tasting and Press Briefing on European Union’s “More than Food” Initiative
The Delegation of the European Union to the United States invites members of the media to a food tasting and press briefing on the campaign “More than European Food and Drinks, Savoring Stories.”
European Union Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė introduces the three-year campaign that seeks to promote agricultural food and beverage products from the European Union in the United States. The campaign highlights the immense variety, diverse and rich nature of ingredients and agricultural products as well as the common food and farming standards that guarantee authentic, high quality, sustainable and safe products all over the world. The EU is the third largest supplier of agricultural and agri-food products to the U.S.
Please join us at the EU Delegation (2175 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037) on Tuesday, April 16 at 12:30 p.m. The program includes:
Welcome drink
Opening remarks from EU Ambassador Neliupšienė
Presentation of the “More than Food” communication campaign
EU food and drink tasting
Rooms May Still Be Available
Reserve your room today at the Cosmos Club located at 2121 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC 20008. Standard rooms are available for $205/night. Mid-size rooms are available for $275/night or large rooms for $350/night. Please call the Cosmos Club directly at 202-387-7783 or email fd@cosmosclub.org and request to book in the NAAJ 2024 group block. This rate is available until March 13, but rooms may still be available.
2023 Annual Meeting
Register today!
Sunday - April 23
2 - 5 p.m. - U.S. National Arboretum
Tour the beautiful gardens and learn more about the Arboretum which is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. We will also receive a short briefing on some of the interesting ARS research going on there and around the country.
7:30 p.m. - Dinner
Farmers Fishers Bakers
3000 K St. NW, Washington Harbour, Washington, D.C.
Monday - April 24
Annual Meeting - Cosmos Club 2121 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC
9-10 a.m. - Farm Bill Focus
John Newton, chief economist at Senate Agriculture Committee - Republicans
Mary Kay Thatcher, senior lead for federal government relations at Syngenta
Ellen Vollinger, SNAP Director, Food Research & Action Center
10:30-11:30 a.m. - USDA’s Impact on the Farm
Robert Bonnie, USDA undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation
Zach Ducheneaux, Farm Service Agency administrator
Heather Manzano, Risk Management Agency deputy administrator
11:30 - Lunch
12:00 Keynote Speaker USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Affairs, Jenny Lester Moffitt
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Get Smart: Learn more about USDA’s Climate-Smart Partnerships
Rob Larew, National Farmers Union president
Tom Thompson, Virginia Tech College of Agriculture associate dean
Belinda Burrier, United Soybean Board farmer leader from Maryland
2:30-4:30 p.m. - Business Meeting
6-8 p.m. - Networking and Awards Reception
National Press Club
Awards will start at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25
Capitol Hill press conferences - SV203
9 a.m. - Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman, R-Ark.
Confirmed to speak, waiting on times:
10:30 a.m. - Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif.
11:30 a.m. - Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
12:30 - 2 p.m. - Canadian Embassy
Luncheon and short presentation from dignitaries
2:30 p.m. - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa.
1300 Longworth Building
If you are planning flights, I would advise on Tuesday to leave late afternoon or early evening from Reagan Airport or later if you choose to fly out of the other nearby airports. You will not be able to bring your luggage to Capitol Hill or likely the Canadian Embassy.
Newsmaker Event: Ag Inflation
The topic of this webinar is on inflation and its impact to agriculture. Hear the domestic perspective from Nathan Kauffman, senior vice president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Board, and an international look from Joe Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute. The format will allow for plenty of time to ask questions to our presenters. This is for current NAAJ members only. A recording will be available for those who register.
NAAJ Newsmaker Event: Post-Election Recap
What will the November elections mean for agriculture?
The 2022 elections will have important implications for the future direction of agricultural policy, including the writing of the next farm bill. Click on the link below to view this NAAJ exclusive event with Randy Russell, president of the Russell Group, and former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Collin Peterson. Email naajnews@yahoo.com to receive the password for the Vimeo recording.
Annual Meeting 2022
Join us for the 2022 Annual Meeting starting Sunday, April 24 until Tuesday, April 26. The format will include an informal gathering and outing on Sunday. Our agenda is subject to change but it currently includes USDA and EPA speakers. The day portion will be held in the meeting rooms at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington. Our awards reception will be held at the Up Top Acres urban rooftop farm for a unique networking experience with industry stakeholders and fellow NAAJ members. Tuesday morning will feature press conferences on Capitol Hill with the top House and Senate agricultural leaders. Choose your registration level below. Registration will close April 15. You may also mail a check to Jacqui Fatka, 6866 County Road 183, Fredericktown, OH 43019. Please email her at naajnews@yahoo.com if you will be mailing a check to secure your space.
Sunday, April 24
Feel free to explore on the National Mall in the afternoon if you would like Sunday afternoon before those in town meet.
3:30 -5 p.m. – Botanical Garden
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, D.C.
Cultivate: Growing Food in a Changing World exhibit
6 p.m. – Epic Smokehouse 1330 S. Fern St. Arlington, VA (located near the hotel)
This will be pay-on-your-own but NAAJ will provide appetizers and wine to share.
Monday, April 25
Held at Crystal City Marriott at 1999 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202
7:30 a.m. Registration Opens - Saloon D
8-8:45 a.m.
Ag’s friendly face at EPA: EPA Agricultural Advisor Rod Snyder will be answering your questions on his thoughts on actions impacting agriculture at EPA
9-9:30 a.m.
“The Farmer’s Lawyer” – Hear from author Sarah Vogel on her real life story of fighting for farmers during the 1980s farm crisis. She will also be offering a free book and book signing to all members in attendance.
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Crisis and Uncertainty: An economic view of the ongoing world agricultural situation featuring International Food Policy Research Institute Economists Joe Glauber and David Laborde
11:30 BUFFET LUNCH - Saloon E
12-1 p.m.
Luncheon keynote: USDA Deputy Secretary Bronaugh (tentative) – may also segway into Vilsack offering phone comments if he can’t be in person
1-2 p.m.
USDA’s Farmer Facing Leaders: Opening comments provided by USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie, Risk Management Agency Administrator Marcia Bunger, Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux and NRCS Chief Terry Crosby
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Annual Meeting
5:30 p.m.
On site Q&A of Up Top Acres urban rooftop farm
55 M Street, SE Washington, D.C.
6-8 p.m.
NAAJ Awards Reception – announcing of awards at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 26
Capitol Hill Visits from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Longworth 1300 or 1302 - press credentials required for Capitol Hill
9- 10 a.m. House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, D-Ga.
10-12 p.m. Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on cattle markets
11-11:30 a.m. – House Agriculture Committee ranking member Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa.
3 p.m. Option for National Press Club tours for anyone traveling from out of town
NAAJ Newsmaker Event: Trade
Trade Talk: A conversation with ag trade experts
Join us for a timely conversation on North American agricultural trade policy featuring veterans in the agricultural trade space. Our newsmaker event scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, will allow NAAJ members to hear directly from individuals who have played an integral role in developing the current trade framework. See full bios below. For the passcode of the event recording, email naajnews@yahoo.com.
12-12:20 p.m. Gregg Doud, former U.S. chief ag trade negotiator under the Trump administration
12:20-12:40 p.m. Ted McKinney, CEO for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
12:40-1 p.m. Mike Gifford, former chief agricultural trade negotiator for Canada
1-1:30 p.m. Open questions from reporters
Membership Mixer
Get to know fellow NAAJ members at this new professional development opportunity. This informal get-to-know your fellow member will allow us to hear from one another wherever you might be located. Our topic for this event is “Getting the Story.” Share an interesting story you’re working on or maybe one of your favorite ones in the past. This will be a zoom meeting, so an opportunity for those on to ask questions.
Annual Meeting - Day 5
A New Look for Agriculture
11 a.m. - 11:30 am ET: Sen. Cory Booker
11:30 am - 12:30 pm ET: Underserved Farmers Panel
Donna Pearson McClish, founder of Common Ground Producers and Growers Inc.
Dr. Lakisha Odom, scientific program director for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research
Rudy Arredondo, president and CEO of the National Latino & Ranchers Trade Association
Annual Meeting - Day 4
Annual meeting: FREE to all members
10 a.m. (30-45 mins with a break following)
Ten Minutes to Shine
11 am - 1 pm
Missing out on our unique ability to network with unique ag organizations? We’ve selected 10 groups that may offer a new angle for your future coverage of ag issues. Tune into this opportunity to “meet” with communications staff and possibly other influential members from these organizations.
American Medical Association – AMA president and renowned immunologist Dr. Susan Bailey
Black Professionals in Food and Agriculture: Karis Gutter and Kellie Adesina
Soybean Transportation Coalition – Mike Steenhoek
Deb Calhoun, Waterways Council
Hinda Mitchell, Inspire PR
Ernie Shea, Solutions from the Land
Deborah Atwood, AGree Climate, Food & Ag Dialogues
Kent G. Schescke, CAST Council for Agricultural Science and Technology
Abby J. Leibman, our President & CEO, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
Carl Jorgensen Plant Based Foods Association
Ebony Webber, MANRRS
Intertribal Ag Council - Kelsey Ducheneaux-Scott
Annual Meeting - Day 3
Climate Panel: Moderator Chris Clayton
Ferd Hoefner, former policy director for the National Sustainable Ag Coalition
Clay Pope, rancher and member of the Oklahoma Farmers Union
Deb Reed, executive director of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium
Randy Russell, principal of the Russell Group representing the Food and Ag Climate Alliance
Annual Meeting - Day 2
Legislator Lowdown (All Times Eastern)
10 a.m. Senator John Boozman, Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member
10:30 a.m. Representative David Scott, House Agriculture Committee Chairman
11:30 a.m. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman
12 p.m. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman
12:30 p.m. Senator John Hoeven, Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member
NAAJ 2021 Awards Cocktail Hour
Bring your favorite drink and toast congratulations to our 2021 writing award winners. We will also have breakout sessions where people can go from room to room to meet new members, talk with award winners and discuss all things ag journalism.
Annual Meeting - Day 1
Keynote: Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Also meet the communications staff at USDA
USDA Panel:
Dr. Dewayne Goldmon, USDA senior adviser on racial equity
Andy Green, senior adviser on fair and competitive markets
Robert Bonnie, deputy chief of staff for policy and senior adviser on climate