The Future of Food and Farming on the National Mall kicked off today on the National Mall to showcase America’s equipment manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, and innovators, working together to drive the tradition of producing more with less environmental impact.
The event is coordinated by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and is held the National Mall to allow the public, lawmakers, and federal employees to interact with the equipment and get an up-close look at the machines that are often only seen on America’s farm fields. “The real intent of this event is to bring the message of the innovation that is occurring in the ag industry today to Washington,” said AEM Ag Chair Bill Hurley, AGCO vice president, global government affairs.
USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small welcomed visitors to the event on Monday and talked some about how agriculture has changed since USDA was created in 1862. “For one thing, there were a lot more farmers in terms of the population of the United States, and that’s part of the reason why it was called ‘The People’s Department,'” said Torres Small. “We’ve been able to feed the world with the innovation that farmers have brought to food production.”
The Future of Food and Farming takes place today through Wednesday, May 8, with exhibits open from 9am – 5pm on the National Mall near the Smithsonian Metro. Over 50 agricultural equipment manufacturers, associations and trade groups on hand to talk about how they help produce food, fiber and fuel for the nation and the world.
AEM Ag Chair Bill Hurley, AGCO vice president, global government affairs
AEM Ag on the Mall - Bill Hurley, AGCO 4:34
Remarks from USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small
AEM Ag on the Mall - USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small 7:45