Scott T. Hamilton Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer; Ted Lord, Senior Vice President/General Counsel; and other Golden LEAF staff will attend the annual NC Chamber Ag Allies Conference on October 11 from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the McKimmon Conference & Training Center in Raleigh. The Ag Allies Conference serves as a critical forum for leaders in agriculture to come together and address the key challenges and opportunities facing the agriculture industry today.
“With North Carolina’s agriculture sector contributing $111 billion annually to the state’s economy and providing jobs for 16% of the workforce, this conference helps ensure that the sector remains a pillar of our state’s success,” said Ray Starling, NC Chamber General Counsel and President of the NC Chamber Legal Institute. “The event brings experts, policymakers, and industry trailblazers to explore how to adapt to workforce changes, technological advancements, and evolving regulations that will shape the future of agriculture in North Carolina.”
This year, the keynote speaker will be Melissa San Miguel, the President of Red Flag USA and Executive Director of Washington International Business Council. The conference offers several panels, a policy outlook, the keynote presentation, and essential time to network.
“Attending the NC Chamber Ag Allies Conference is an opportunity to engage with the thought leaders who are driving the next generation of agriculture,” said Starling. “You will gain firsthand insights into the latest economic trends and technological innovations, hear directly from industry leaders about the future of food and farming, and learn about how North Carolina is positioning itself as a global leader in agriculture. By attending, you’ll have the chance to connect with peers and exchange ideas on how to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of this vital industry.”
Golden LEAF officials are attending to keep abreast of the agriculture economic landscape. One of Golden LEAF’s priorities is Agriculture. Golden LEAF supports agriculture projects as an economic development engine. Golden LEAF grants for agriculture projects have supported the development of new crops, expanded markets for agriculture products, scientific research, training for farmers, cost-effective techniques and value-added agricultural enterprises.
Last year, when Hamilton attended the NC Chamber Ag Allies Conference, the keynote presentation came from Aidan Connolly, President, AgriTech Capital, based in Wilmington. Hamilton shared after the 2023 conference in a newsletter article that Connolly presented the staggering numbers of needing 70% more food and protein by 2050. He added that the world’s population has nearly doubled since 1970 and is headed toward 10 billion by 2050.
“The information you receive at the conference is valuable to anyone involved in or impacted by North Carolina’s agribusiness sector,” said Hamilton. “We attend to listen and learn more about agriculture, agribusiness, food production, agricultural technology, and policy. Our team also finds the networking opportunity helpful to leverage first-hand knowledge about the challenges and opportunities in the industry to advance the economy through our funding opportunities.”
Information about NC Ag Allies including the agenda and how to register, can be found here.