Programs

Round Table—Where Agriculture's Leaders Come Together to Shape the Future

The challenges shaping agriculture are too important—and too complex—for any one organization to solve alone.

 

The next Round Table will take place January 12-15 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Round Table is an invitation only event)

Program Overview

Where Agriculture's Most Important Conversations Happen

Some of agriculture’s most important conversations happen behind closed doors—not because they’re exclusive, but because trust creates space for honest dialogue.

Round Table is Farm Foundation’s premier leadership community, bringing together senior executives, producers, researchers, policymakers, innovators, and nonprofit leaders who share a commitment to strengthening agriculture.

Twice each year, Fellows gather under the Chatham House Rule to discuss emerging issues, challenge conventional thinking, and learn from one another. The conversations are candid, the relationships are lasting, and the ideas often extend well beyond the meeting itself.

Round Table isn’t about reaching consensus. It’s about expanding perspectives, building trust, and helping leaders make better decisions in an increasingly complex world.

  • Explore Emerging Issues

    Gain early insight into the trends, technologies, policies, and global forces shaping the future of food and agriculture.

  • Build Trusted Relationships

    Develop meaningful connections with leaders representing every part of the agricultural value chain.

  • Lead With Broader Perspective

    Return to your organization with new ideas, stronger relationships, and a deeper understanding of the issues affecting agriculture.

Round Table with Temple Grandin

Why It Matters

Better Conversations Lead to Better Decisions

Agriculture is navigating rapid technological innovation, shifting markets, workforce challenges, environmental pressures, changing public expectations, and an increasingly complex policy landscape.

These challenges don’t fit neatly into one commodity, sector, or organization.

Round Table creates something increasingly valuable: a trusted environment where leaders with different experiences and viewpoints can ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions, and explore opportunities together.

For nearly five decades, these conversations have helped participants build relationships, strengthen organizations, and identify practical ideas that influence agriculture far beyond the meeting room.

  • A Different Kind of Leadership Community

    Round Table isn't built around presentations or networking alone. It's built around trust. The Chatham House Rule encourages honest conversations that help Fellows explore ideas openly, learn from one another, and think differently about the future.

  • Mission Connection

    Round Table reflects Farm Foundation's mission to build trust and understanding at the intersections of society and agriculture by creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue across diverse perspectives.

Who It's For

Is Round Table Right for You?

Round Table is designed for experienced leaders who are shaping the future of agriculture and value thoughtful conversation, lifelong learning, and collaboration.

  • Fellows Include

    • Senior executives
    • Farmers and agricultural producers
    • Researchers and academic leaders
    • Government and policy leaders
    • Nonprofit and industry executives

  • Membership

    • By invitation or nomination
    • Demonstrated leadership within food and agriculture
    • Commitment to active participation
    • Interest in cross-sector collaboration

  • Successful Fellows

    • Value diverse perspectives
    • Enjoy thoughtful discussion and debate
    • Look beyond their own organization or sector
    • Believe relationships are essential to progress
    • Want to help shape the future of agriculture.

Program Impact

Nearly Five Decades of Leadership

Round Table has helped generations of agricultural leaders build trusted relationships, exchange ideas, and navigate change together.

Program Experience

What Fellows Can Expect

Each meeting combines expert perspectives, facilitated discussions, field experiences, and informal conversations that encourage learning and relationship building. While every agenda is different, every experience is designed to help Fellows better understand emerging issues and one another.

Throughout the Year

  1. 1
    Spring Meeting

    Explore a timely issue through expert dialogue, peer discussion, and regional experiences.

  2. 2
    Ongoing Connections

    Continue conversations, strengthen relationships, and exchange ideas between meetings.

  3. 3
    Fall Meeting

    Dive into another emerging challenge through immersive learning and meaningful dialogue.

Fellows Leave With

  • Broader perspectives on agriculture's biggest challenges
  • Trusted relationships across the agricultural value chain
  • Practical insights they can apply within their organizations
  • Greater understanding of diverse viewpoints shaping agriculture

Testimonials

Voices From Round Table

For many Fellows, the greatest value isn't just the information shared—it's the relationships built and the perspectives gained.

There are no other forums that bring together industry, government, and academia in an open setting to understand challenges, opportunities, and current affairs in agriculture.

Anonymous

Round Table