Seeds of Change: Navigating the Future of Idaho Agriculture
Idaho Ag Summit presented by Leadership Idaho Agriculture
Monday, February 19, 2024 (Boise Centre West)
5:30 pm All Idaho Strolling Supper with Idaho Legislators
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (Boise Centre West)
7:15am Summit Registration
Enjoy Idaho Ag Products
7:30am Opening Session
Welcome by Samantha Parrott, Co-Chairman
Summit Challenge by Dr. Larry Branen
8:15am Inside the Beltway & Will There Be a New Farm Bill?
Luther Markwart, Executive VP, American Sugarbeet Growers Association
Enjoy Idaho Ag Products
7:30am Opening Session
Welcome by Samantha Parrott, Co-Chairman
Summit Challenge by Dr. Larry Branen
8:15am Inside the Beltway & Will There Be a New Farm Bill?
Luther Markwart, Executive VP, American Sugarbeet Growers Association
LUTHER MARKWART | Keynote Speaker
Executive Vice President, American Sugarbeet Growers Association
Luther Markwart was raised on a family dairy farm in eastern Michigan and grew sugarbeets for 9 years as a 4-H project. His grandparents and parents raised sugarbeets beginning in 1933. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.
Luther has been a leader and advocate for the sugarbeet industry for over 40 years. Since 1982 he has served as Executive Vice President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association in Washington, DC, representing sugarbeet growers in 11 states. He has served as advisor to the U.S. Congress, USDA, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and other federal agencies that have direct or indirect impact on the domestic sugar industry. He was directly involved in the formulation and passage of the sugar provisions of the last eight farm bills (1981 - 2018) and served eight terms as Chairman of the industry-wide American Sugar Alliance.
Luther has been an advisor to USDA and USTR for international trade negotiations, beginning with the International Sugar Agreement in Geneva in 1982. He also served six years on the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Sweeteners, then served on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee as an advisor to USDA secretaries Ann Venetian and Mike Johanns and USTR Ambassador Zoellick. He was reappointed to the ATAC for Sweeteners again in 2023 by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and USTR Katherine Tai. He was involved in the antidumping and countervailing cases against Mexico and the negotiated suspension agreements between the two countries. He is also contributing editor for sugarbeet trade magazines; The Sugar Producer and The Sugarbeet Grower. Luther has served as Co-Chairman of the Sugar Industry Biotechnology Council since 2003 leading the first successful introduction of sugar produced from genetically engineered sugarbeets/ sugar cane in the world. He is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Savitsky Award for his leadership in the introduction, adoption and defense of biotechnology in the beet sugar industry.
Luther lives in McLean, VA with his spouse, Terri, and their three children, Christian, Lauren and Megan.
Executive Vice President, American Sugarbeet Growers Association
Luther Markwart was raised on a family dairy farm in eastern Michigan and grew sugarbeets for 9 years as a 4-H project. His grandparents and parents raised sugarbeets beginning in 1933. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University.
Luther has been a leader and advocate for the sugarbeet industry for over 40 years. Since 1982 he has served as Executive Vice President of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association in Washington, DC, representing sugarbeet growers in 11 states. He has served as advisor to the U.S. Congress, USDA, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and other federal agencies that have direct or indirect impact on the domestic sugar industry. He was directly involved in the formulation and passage of the sugar provisions of the last eight farm bills (1981 - 2018) and served eight terms as Chairman of the industry-wide American Sugar Alliance.
Luther has been an advisor to USDA and USTR for international trade negotiations, beginning with the International Sugar Agreement in Geneva in 1982. He also served six years on the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Sweeteners, then served on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee as an advisor to USDA secretaries Ann Venetian and Mike Johanns and USTR Ambassador Zoellick. He was reappointed to the ATAC for Sweeteners again in 2023 by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and USTR Katherine Tai. He was involved in the antidumping and countervailing cases against Mexico and the negotiated suspension agreements between the two countries. He is also contributing editor for sugarbeet trade magazines; The Sugar Producer and The Sugarbeet Grower. Luther has served as Co-Chairman of the Sugar Industry Biotechnology Council since 2003 leading the first successful introduction of sugar produced from genetically engineered sugarbeets/ sugar cane in the world. He is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Savitsky Award for his leadership in the introduction, adoption and defense of biotechnology in the beet sugar industry.
Luther lives in McLean, VA with his spouse, Terri, and their three children, Christian, Lauren and Megan.
Presentation of the Pat Takasugi Leadership Award for 2024: Idaho Hay & Forage Industry
10:00am Break - Enjoy some Idaho Commodity Products
10:30am Responsible Water Management: The Key to Idaho's Future
Moderator: Paul Arrington, Executive Director, Idaho Water Users Assn.
Mat Weaver, Director, Idaho Dept. of Water Resources
Brian Patton, Idaho Water Resource Board
Angie Hansen, Idaho Dept. of Water Resources
12:00pm Seating for Governor’s Awards Luncheon
12:15pm Governor’s Awards Idaho Luncheon – “Excellence in Agriculture”
Governor Brad Little
Reception for Award Winners & Guests to follow
Adjournment
10:00am Break - Enjoy some Idaho Commodity Products
10:30am Responsible Water Management: The Key to Idaho's Future
Moderator: Paul Arrington, Executive Director, Idaho Water Users Assn.
Mat Weaver, Director, Idaho Dept. of Water Resources
Brian Patton, Idaho Water Resource Board
Angie Hansen, Idaho Dept. of Water Resources
12:00pm Seating for Governor’s Awards Luncheon
12:15pm Governor’s Awards Idaho Luncheon – “Excellence in Agriculture”
Governor Brad Little
Reception for Award Winners & Guests to follow
Adjournment