Blog
Brussels Brief: Farm Foundation Connects on US Ag at Key Events
Shari Rogge-Fidler, president and CEO of Farm Foundation, recently travelled to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in two events focused on the future of food systems and global agricultural trade.
The Forum for the Future of Agriculture’s Annual Conference, held on March 26th, explored the critical theme of “Restoring the Opportunity for Food System Transformation.” Rogge-Fidler then spoke at a Global Forum on Farm Policy and Innovation (GFFPI) discussion on March 27th, delving into the recently published report, “Advancing the Role of Trade and Agricultural Sustainability.”
Insights from the Brussels Meetings
Rogge-Fidler’s takeaways from these productive meetings include:
- Focus on Soil Health: While regenerative agriculture wasn’t explicitly addressed, the importance of soil health emerged as a recurring theme.
- Over-Burdened Farmers: Protests against burdensome policies in Brussels serve as a timely reminder for the US to be mindful of policies affecting the agricultural sector.
- Bridging the Gap: There is a critical gap in trade dialogues, with a geopolitical environment that is more national/regional in its mindset.
- The Power of Communication: Sessions featuring a chef and a farmer-facing scientist resonated strongly, underlining the importance of clear communication and collaboration between all stakeholders in the food system.
The Importance of Engagement
These Brussels events underscored the vital role of international engagement in advancing US agriculture. Robust trade markets are essential for farmers, and fostering a shared understanding of sustainable practices is crucial to ensure trade continues to flourish.
By actively engaging in international forums like these, Farm Foundation strengthens US agriculture’s position on the global stage and works towards a more sustainable and collaborative future for the food system.