We all see and feel it. The signals that have historically shaped American agriculture, from public policy to consumer perception to global markets, are difficult to discern. Today’s version of those signals are, if we are honest, a bit unsettling.  In this timely and thought-provoking keynote, Ray Starling steps back to make sense of where we are and what this current moment demands of industry leadership.

Drawing on the launch of the Center for American Food Power as a backdrop, he explores the cultural and political forces that are reshaping how agriculture is viewed, valued, and supported in the United States. With a mix of candor, insight, and a dose of well-placed humor, Ray connects today’s broader societal trends to their real-world implications for agricultural policy, business strategy, and long-term competitiveness.  From that shared understanding, the focus turns forward. Attendees will be encouraged to engage more directly in education, advocacy, and alignment across the sector, and to prepare their customers and partners for the road ahead. Insightful, relevant, and at times disarmingly funny, this keynote will push ag leaders to think differently about how the next chapter of American agriculture gets written.