USSEC participated in a seminar at the world EXPO in Milan, Italy on October 9.
The seminar, “Agricultural Innovation–Planting the Seeds for a Sustainable Future,” was supported by the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA), the USA Pavilion organizers, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy.
USSEC chairman Laura Foell provided attendees with first-hand experience about how she has made use of new tools to avoid serious losses from climate variability and increased her productivity. Ms. Foell spoke about innovation on the farm – past, present and future; big data; precision agriculture; and drones in agriculture.
In his presentation “Innovation as Part of Sustainability,” USSEC consultant David Green pointed out that sustainability is all about process improvements and innovation is at the heart of these changes. Innovation has taken U.S. agriculture from subsistence farming in the 1930s to a global food producer today.
Under Secretary for Farm & Foreign Agricultural Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Michael T. Scuse, delivered the keynote address.
A panel representing farmers and equipment and technology providers highlighted innovative trends in global inputs, equipment and agricultural practices that will help address the challenge of producing enough food, fiber and fuel to feed more than nine billion people by 2050, while conserving natural resources.
The USA Pavilion showcases the idea “American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet,” and spotlights American leadership on issues such as food security and policy, technology, nutrition and health, and culinary culture. Over 140 countries are participating in Milan EXPO 2015, and more than 20 million people are expected to visit before the World’s Fair concludes in October 2015. The USA Pavilion focuses on the United States as an innovator not only in the food sector, but also in many aspects of culture, science, and business.