Finding, training and retaining quality human capital is a critical challenge for businesses of all types and sizes in the nation’s food and agriculture sector. At the Farm Foundation Forum on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, a panel of educators and industry leaders will discuss the innovative approaches they are taking to meet the sector’s human capital needs.

“The food and agriculture sector has diverse human capital needs that are rapidly evolving as technological advancements reform the workplace,” says Farm Foundation President Constance Cullman. “While unskilled labor is needed, the demand for skilled employees capable of maximizing the management of new technologies is a critical element for any business. Add in the issues of education, rural lifestyles, irregular work hour demands and immigration laws, and the investment in human capital becomes even more complex.”

Forum panel members will include:

Cathann Kress, Ph.D., Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University; Ohio agribusiness leader Lou Kozma, President of Hirzel Farms; and Vermont dairy farmer Robert    Foster, President of Foster Brothers Farms, Middlebury, VT. This Forum will precede the annual meeting of the Ohio Agriculture Council.

Farm Foundation Fourms are discussion opportunities for thought leaders to examine timely issues. After more than 10 years of originating the Forum in Washington, D.C., Farm Foundation is taking the Forum on the road. The location will be new but the discussion will continue the Forum’s tradition of examining diverse perspectives on timely issues. There is no cost to participate--in person or via a free, live audiocast--but registration is requested for the Forum, and required for the Council event. Register online: //farmfoundation.org/forums/