Farm-City Week 2020 Featured Virtual Speakers

(Updated: Nov. 2, 2020, 6:39 a.m.)
[UPDATED 11/2/20: Find the final videos and YouTube playlist under the session summaries below.]


We're excited to share a final list of virtual presentations that are available to you for your local Farm-City Week celebrations in 2020!


The list includes a who's who of agricultural leaders in North Carolina, each of whom provides a video presentation for you to incorporate à la carte into your programs as you see fit. Depending on your local agendas, you could consider pairing a longer presentation with a shorter presentation to fill out schedules as needed.





SPEAKER PRESENTER INFO SUMMARY
JOLENE BROWN, CSP, CPAE Jolene Brown's website Professional Speaker, Family Business Consultant and Author Harvest the Humor | A Celebration for Farm-City Week! (30:52) In this joy-filled tribute to those of us connecting the farm gate to the consumer plate, we’ll highlight the benefits of a good sense of humor and learn three things you can do to bring perspective to these testing times. Whether in-person or virtual, rural or urban, city or country, let’s remember that laughter is the shortest distance between two people. It’s time to celebrate!
SHAWN HARDING N.C. Farm Bureau website President, N.C. Farm Bureau Our Shared Values (3:54) Discover the shared values between urban and rural citizens, as we explore that which binds us as North Carolinians and celebrate the importance of agriculture in all of our lives.
RICHARD LINTON & RICH BONANNO CALS website NC State Extension website Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State Director, NC State Extension The Dynamic Future of Our Pack (31:10) While the future poses stark challenges for agriculture, food, and the environment, CALS transforms those challenges into opportunities that benefit everyone. Our college and Extension leadership highlight the value of N.C. agriculture and provide an update on key efforts to grow the industry and support our farmers.
STEVE TROXLER NCDA&CS website Commissioner, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services The Power and Resilience of North Carolina Agriculture (4:11) Commissioner Troxler discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our agriculture industry and businesses, while highlighting the importance of agriculture to the state's long-term well-being. We've suffered through some difficult times, but brighter days are ahead for North Carolina agriculture as we celebrate the farmers who feed our families, communities and the world.
It goes without saying that 2020 has been a year of challenges and change, yet there is still much to celebrate and give thanks for as we approach Farm-City Week and the holiday season. Thank you for your tireless efforts and dedication during the good times and the bad!