The Hawaii Agriculture Conference returns next month for a two-day event centered around this year’s theme “Collaborative Leaders as Ag-ents of Change.”
Taking place Sept. 27-28 at the Hawaii Convention Center, this will mark the first ag conference in nearly three years.
Hosted by the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii, the conference will feature presentations by industry leaders, along with 25 breakout sessions within three conference tracks - Community Collaboration, A Vibrant Workforce, and Business of Agriculture. There also will be networking opportunities and a farm-to-table tasting event.
Christine Brammer, executive and program director of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii, told PBN that the foundation is “proud” to be able to host this year’s event.
“We hope the conference allows the agriculture community a chance to network and engage with others to identify, support and leverage opportunities that benefit the ag community, individual businesses and Hawaii consumers,” Brammer said. “Today more than ever, the agriculture sector and its affiliated industries must provide collaborative leadership to proactively address a changing environment and we hope the conference can provide the forum for building the essential connections for success.”
The Agricultural Leadership Foundation has tapped food production industry leader Chad Buck as the keynote speaker. Buck, the founder and owner of the Hawaii Foodservice Alliance and HFA Logistics, will discuss building more sustainable food systems in Hawaii.
“Speaking at this year’s Hawaii Agriculture Conference could not come at a more opportune time,” said Buck in a statement.
“There is much to share since the Covid lockdown in 2020 about what we experienced as food providers and distributors. Covid was a wake up call for our state in that it brought to greater light the need to focus on growing our own food and feeding our own people. The rapid growth, proliferation, and importance of food hubs across each island during the pandemic was testament to the resilience and spirit of Aloha embodied in Hawaii’s farmers and AG2022 will now provide an opportunity for attendees to explore further collaboration for the benefit of Hawaii’s communities.”
Brammer noted that other event highlights will include the AGxChange, which will feature exhibitors that can help attendees “learn about innovative practices, explore resources to help grow their business, and connect with government agencies, companies and organizations that support Hawaii agriculture.”
Conference registration also includes admission to the Pau Hana - Farm to Table Tastings and Refreshments event, where Brammer said attendees can “enjoy farm-to-table cuisine prepared by local chefs using locally grown ingredients while networking with agriculture producers and professionals, foodies, farmers, teachers, and students.”
The Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii was founded in 1982 to provide leadership development opportunities for the ag industry and support the future of the sector.
For more information and to register for the conference, visit hiagconference.org. Early bird registration ends Aug. 14, and regular registration closes Sept. 26.
