Jim Wiesemeyer, a nationally respected agricultural policy analyst for over five decades, will headline Fresno State’s 45th annual Agribusiness Management Conference, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Pardini’s Catering (2257 W. Shaw Ave.) in Fresno.
The event will bring together producers, executives, policymakers, educators, students and emerging leaders to examine the forces reshaping agricultural risk and to adapt strategically in the rapidly-changing areas of global relations, labor, regulation and technology.
Wiesemeyer will discuss how the farm bill, trade, regulations and taxes impact farm budgets, commodity markets and business planning. As a Washington policy analyst for AgBull Media and Farm Journal’s AgriTalk radio program, he also hosts the weekly podcast “Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives.”
Following the keynote, Bill Wolman from Sagaser, Watkins & Wieland PC will address California’s Private Attorneys General Act, known as PAGA, and its significance for employers.
The conference will then turn to a panel on the external forces changing the business of agriculture, featuring:
- Abby Taylor-Silva, managing director of regulatory affairs, Kahn, Soares & Conway law firm.
- Julie Adams, vice president for global technical and regulatory affairs, Almond Board of California.
- Emily Rooney, president of the Agricultural Council of California.
The luncheon keynote will feature Walt Duflock, senior vice president of innovation at Western Growers. A fifth-generation California farmer, he will examine how robotics, artificial intelligence and other emerging technology can help the industry address persistent challenges involving labor, water, food safety and productivity.
“This event is one of the Jordan College’s most important events of the year since it gives students and Central Valley agricultural supporters a chance to hear a wide range of experts and network with other agribusiness professionals,” said Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. “This year’s docket is especially impressive and will help attendees move beyond simply identifying risk and emphasize new ways to build successful perspectives, relationships and strategies.”
Registration for the conference is $150 for the public or $50 for students from other colleges. Fresno State students can attend for free if they contact event organizer Luz Mendoza at luzmendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu.
Event sponsors include platinum-level sponsor Wells Fargo, gold-level sponsor Farm Credit and silver-level sponsor The Zenith. Other supporting organizations include Fresno Madera Farm Credit and Steve Moore Farms, the Jordan College and the Institute for Food and Agriculture.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting luzmendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.7135.
(Story by Kevin Smith and Geoff Thurner)
