WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2014—The Farm Journal Foundation and Agri-Pulse plan to introduce a “Packing Political Punch” session at the 2014 Farm Journal Forum. Hosted by Sara Wyant, president of Agri-Pulse Communications Inc., this new addition to the Forum’s program will explore findings from Agri-Pulse’s six-part series by the same name, addressing important political changes impacting American agriculture and rural America.

“We are thrilled to work with Agri-Pulse again this year to bring a political punch to the Farm Journal Forum,” said Lesly Weber McNitt, director of government relations and program development at the Farm Journal Foundation. “We always welcome opportunities to make our policy dialogue more interactive and innovative. The addition of Sara’s panel will build on our solutions-oriented theme and give the many thought leaders in our audience an additional opportunity to actively participate in the discussion.”

The Packing Political Punch session will conclude with the Forum’s first ever “Mini-Think Tank,” during which audience participants will be encouraged to offer their own food and agriculture policy recommendations. Following the Forum, Farm Journal Foundation will circulate a compilation of recommendations from the day.

Packing Political Punch, an Agri-Pulse initiative sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, explores U.S. agriculture’s political influence. The 2014 Farm Journal Forum, which is focused on "Globally Positioned Agriculture: Farming Smarter in the Face of New Challenges and Opportunities,” will take place on Dec. 10-11 at the Loews Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. Beginning with an evening reception on Wednesday the 10th, the event kicks into full gear with its newsmaker breakfast followed by a full day of high-level speakers on Dec. 11.

"Our Packing Political Punch series allowed us to take a closer look at the changing demographics in rural America and how these trends impact the ability to influence the political process,” Wyant said. “We examined the strength of coalitions between diverse organizations, the power of political action committees, the importance of midterm elections and the role of young leaders stepping up to tell agriculture’s story. We’re looking forward to sharing our findings at the Farm Journal Forum."

The Forum is widely recognized as one of the premier food and agriculture policy conferences in the nation’s capital, known for convening a diverse audience of farmers, policymakers, industry leaders, academics, non-profit representatives and other key stakeholders in food and agriculture.

The 2014 Farm Journal Forum is made possible by support from premier sponsor, Monsanto Co. and supporting sponsors DuPont and Verdesian, in association with Farmers Feeding the World. To register and find additional information please visit www.farmjournalforum.com. Take part in the dialogue via Twitter #FJForum14.

 View the agenda or register now.

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