Committee Members Only.

Committee Members Only.

Invitation Only.

U.S. agriculture is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. Harnessing the Storm explores the six powerful macro forces reshaping global demand, production, and competitiveness — and what they mean for the future of American farming and ranching.

This session distills insights from the Future State of Ag Report, a forward looking- analysis that traces how global affluence, geopolitical realignment, human health pressures, climate volatility, technological acceleration, and shifting ownership patterns will converge over the next 15+ years. Together, these forces are driving a structural shift that will redefine how U.S. agriculture competes and innovates on the world stage.

Attendees will leave with a sharper view of the risks and opportunities ahead — and how producers, agribusinesses, and policymakers can position themselves to thrive in a rapidly changing global environment.

This high impact session brings farmers to the forefront to share candid insights about what’s working—and what isn’t—in today’s production environment. From input costs and labor shortages to technology adoption and weather volatility, farmers will discuss the real challenges shaping their decisions. They’ll also highlight how seed industry partners can better support them and what they wish policymakers understood about modern agriculture. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the people who rely on seed innovations every day.

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to meet fellow attendees, reconnect with colleagues, and set the tone for an engaging and productive week in Milwaukee. Enjoy refreshments and a relaxed atmosphere while networking with industry professionals in a lively setting.

Join us for a morning of great conversation featuring Marshal Sewell of Mind Your Melon! The Mind Your Melon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving mental health and wellbeing among farmers, ranchers, and agricultural families. Founded by Marshal and Taylor Sewell following their personal experiences with the stresses, grief, and challenges of farm life, the Foundation was created to raise awareness about farm stress and connect agricultural communities with meaningful resources.

Start your day with light breakfast items while mingling with our exhibitors and colleagues before our second General Session. 

This session introduces participants to the fundamentals of effective advocacy and provides practical tools for communicating with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Through remarks from state and federal leaders and a hands-on- workshop, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to engage constructively in the policy process and elevate the voice of the seed industry.

Join us for ASTA’s Awards Luncheon, where we honor the dedicated service and exemplary leadership of professionals within the seed industry.  ASTA will recognize individuals receiving this year’s Chairman’s Distinguished Service Award, the ASTA Heritage Award, and the Lifetime Honorary Membership Award.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how researchers generate insights, communicate findings, and make data‑driven decisions. This session brings together a diverse panel to examine how AI tools can strengthen scientific and organizational voice across plant breeding, trait discovery, pathology, seed quality, and other research domains. Panelists will share practical examples of AI‑enabled analysis, discuss emerging challenges such as data integrity and model transparency, and explore the unique opportunities AI presents for accelerating innovation in the seed industry. Attendees will leave with a clearer sense of how AI can:

• Shorten R&D cycles
• Improve decision‑making under uncertainty
• Strengthen collaboration across teams and disciplines
• Unlock new insights from existing datasets

This interactive, dual-panel session brings together two perspectives that rarely share the same stage: emerging talent (students and early-career professionals) and experienced managers in the agriculture and seed industry.

The focus goes beyond hiring into the day-to-day reality of managing people. From onboarding and communication to feedback, growth, and retention, both groups will share what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change.

Rather than speaking about each other, both panels will engage directly creating a candid conversation about expectations, misalignment, and how to build stronger, more effective working relationships.

Key Themes & Takeaways

• What effective management looks like to new employees
• Common disconnects between managers and early-career staff
• How to onboard, train, and communicate more effectively
• Building trust, accountability, and engagement early
• Practical management strategies that improve retention