2011 Indiana Livestock, Forage and Grain Forum

The Indiana FFA State Officers had the opportunity to attend this years Indiana Livestock, Forage and Grain Forum held at the Indianapolis Convention Center.  There we had the opportunity to listen to Keynote Speakers in the morning session.  First, we got to see Governor Mitch Daniels receive the Indiana Pork Meritorious Service Award.  Then we got to listen to John Anderson of the American Farm Bureau as he presented the 2011 Market Outlook for Grain and Livestock Farmers.  Following that report was the opportunity to hear a Keynote Address by Roger Thurow.  Roger Thurow spoke about the contents of his new book, "Enough - Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty."  Thurow recently returned from a trip to Africa where he stayed in Kenya learning how African farmers scratch a living off the land with there primitive farming methods.  Following Thurow's keynote was a keynote by Jeff Simmons, the President of Elanco Animal Health.  Simmons spoke of why agriculture needs technology to meet food demands in the future.  A banquet lunch was held where we had the opportunity to discuss with various agriculturalists from across the state and hear their opinions in different agricultural issues.  It was an honor to be able to attend this Forum.  Each State Officer left motivated to share what we learned this morning and a little more educated about Indiana Agriculture.

From FFA: Following the Future of Agriculture