Food and Ag Leaders Emphasize Collaboration to Feed the Future

Annual Bayer event brings together industry influencers to discuss the role of innovation, public policy and sustainability in feeding the future.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. (Feb. 27, 2017) – “The future of farming depends not only on innovation, but also on our ability to collaborate, cooperate and connect in order to generate the new solutions and technologies that will enable growers to produce safe and quality food, feed and fiber,” said Adrian Percy, global head of research & development and executive committee member for Crop Science, a division of Bayer. “The AgVocacy Forum is just one way Bayer is hoping to create open dialogue between the various stakeholders that must collaborate to meet this challenge.”

For the 12th consecutive year, Bayer is organizing the forum to showcase individuals and ideas that are making a strong impact on the future of farming and food production. This year’s event will continue open discussion and engagement around critical topics, such as launching the next agricultural food revolution, embracing new and emerging technologies to achieve sustainable agriculture, addressing farm labor concerns from all sides, and more.

“Today’s growers are not only having to worry about on-farm issues like resistant weeds and new pests but also are flooded with concerns over the longterm effects of the changing economy, laws, climate and consumer demands,” said David Hollinrake, vice president of North America marketing for Crop Science, a division of Bayer. “At this year’s AgVocacy Forum, a group of industry leaders will discuss challenges that will impact the farm well into the future.”

For the fifth consectutive year, AgVocacy Forum will be moderated by Frank Sesno, director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University and a former CNN correspondent, anchor and Washington D.C. Bureau Chief.

Esteemed author and academic lecturer Dr. Vikram Mansharamani will keynote on how to navigate global economic uncertainty. Mansharamani is a frequent commentator on issues driving disruption in the global business environment. Additionally, Vivian Howard, chef and owner of Chef & The Farmer in Kinston, N.C., as well as TV star of PBS’s “A Chef’s Life,” will also join the forum to share her personal story of returning to invest in a rural American community.

Additional guest speakers include:

• David Rosenberg, CEO of AeroFarms
• Nate Kauffman, assistant vice president and Omaha Branch executive with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
• Louisa Burwood-Taylor, chief editor of AgFunderNews
• Dr. John Goldberg, founder of Science Based Strategies and former long-time adviser on the House Ag Committee
• Carrie Calvert, director of tax and commodity policy, Feeding America
• Jack Bobo, chief communications officer, Intrexon, the company bringing genetically modified salmon and non-browning apples to market. He also served as senior adviser for biotechnology at the State Department.
• Representatives from Campbell’s and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), entrepreneurs, researchers, growers from various U.S. geographies, among others

Additionally, to kick off Forum activities, the Bayer Feed a Bee program and the Bexar County 4-H program (San Antonio) hosted a multi-part pollinator event at St. John Berchmans Catholic School on Monday, February 27. Education sessions taught the school’s 75 4-H members about the importance of pollinators, beekeeping and gardening. Bayer and the 4-H members also established the school’s pollinator garden by planting wildflower seeds optimized to provide ample nutrition for pollinators. In addition, Bayer made a $10,000 donation to the 4-H program for future pollinator initiatives in Bexar County.

Join the conversation by following @bayer4cropsus on Twitter and Instagram, using #AgVocate and following our social live stream. Panels and discussions will also be broadcast live from San Antonio in the AgVocate Facebook group. For more information on the event, visit the 2017 Bayer AgVocacy Forum section.

Bayer is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at cropscience.bayer.us.

Visit the Bayer Connect - Social Hub for social media, recent news, blog posts, videos and more from Crop Science, a division of Bayer.

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Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Contact:
Bayer Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or

Casey Allen
Crop Science, a division of Bayer
Tel: (919) 549-2607
Email: casey.allen@bayer.com

Becca Hogan
Porter Novelli
Tel: (858) 752-0562
Email: rebecca.hogan@porternovelli.com

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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