THE SUMMIT

Agenda subject to change. Additional details forthcoming.

8:00 – 8:30 AM    Registration and Morning Networking (light breakfast to be provided)

8:30 – 8:35 AM    Welcome Remarks

8:35 – 8:45 AM    Opening Announcements & Introductions

8:45 – 9:00 AM    Presentation: Navigating the Workforce Landscape in Agri-Food

  Mark C. White, Ph.D.
  Clinical Associate Professor
  Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois Urban- Champaign
  Interim Assistant Dean and Program Leader, Community and Economic Development
  University of Illinois Extension

9:00 – 9:30 AM    Panel: Industry Insights into Workforce Development
A panel of industry experts discuss current workforce trends, challenges, and opportunities in the agri-food sector. The session explores the implications of evolving business models, societal behaviors, and emerging technologies on the future workforce as it relates to Illinois’ agri-food system.

  Moderated by: Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton

  Mark Beckmann
  Director, Manufacturing Industry Solutions
  Microsoft

  Tami Craig Schilling
  Vice President, Agronomic Digital Innovation
  Bayer Crop Science

  Tom Welge
  President and CEO
  Gilster-Mary Lee Corp

9:30– 10:45 AM    Theme 1 – Increasing Career Awareness Among Youth

10:45 – 11:00 AM  Break (refreshments and networking opportunity)

11:00 – 12:30 PM   Theme 2 – Strengthening Education & Industry Partnerships

12:30 – 1:30 PM    Networking Lunch (boxed lunches)

1:00 – 1:30 PM      Luncheon Keynote

    Sarah Baig
    Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
    United States Department of Agriculture

1:30 – 3:00 PM    Theme 3 – Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Agri-Food Workplaces

3:00 – 3:15 PM    Break (refreshments and networking opportunity)

3:15 – 3:45 PM    Future Visioning Exercise

3:45 – 4:00 PM    Concluding Thoughts

4:00 PM    Summit Close

SUMMIT ATTENDEES

VP, Global Market Development Agronomic Impact, Bayer

Program Manager, Chicago Community Trust

Principal, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

Grants & Projects, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

Lead Agriculture Teacher & FFA Chapter Advisor, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences

Project Manager of School Gardens, Chicago Public Schools

Assistant, Consulate General of Japan in Chicago

Consul-General, Consulate General of Japan in Chicago

Consul, Consulate General of Japan in Chicago

Director of Agricultural Literacy, Cook County Farm Bureau

Principal/Consultant, Creative Outreach Consulting, LLC

CEO, Delta Institute

Co-Founder, Freight to Plate

Co-Founder, Freight to Plate

Associate Director of Urban Agriculture, Gary Comer Youth Center

Director of Youth Employment Programs, Gary Comer Youth Center

President and CEO, Gilster-Mary Lee Corp

Economic Recovery Corps Fellow, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council

Talent Program Coordinator, GROWMARK Inc.

Co-Owner; Adjunct Professor of Science, Herban Produce; City Colleges of Chicago

Ag Program Advisor, Illinois Ag Education & FFA

Dean, Agricultural and Industrial Technologies, Illinois Central College

Policy Advisor, Illinois Department of Agriculture

Deputy Director, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

Associate Director of Food Systems Development, Illinois Farm Bureau

Vice President, Illinois Farm Bureau

Executive Director, Illinois Specialty Growers Association

President and Executive Director, Institute for Work and the Economy

Director, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition Innovation Center

Senior Manager Community & Industry Engagement, McCormick-FONA

Director, Manufacturing Industry Solutions, Microsoft

Dean, Urban Agriculture, Olive-Harvey College

Dean, Career and Technical Education, Parkland College

Executive Director, Pilot Light

Executive Director – Relationship Manager, Rabobank Wholesale Banking North America

College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Executive Director, St. Louis Agribusiness Club

Principal/CEO, The Development Consortium

Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, United States Department of Agriculture

Acting State Director for Illinois, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development

Food Systems Specialist, University of Illinois 4-H

Associate Dean for Academic Programs, College of ACES, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Associate Professor and Director of Extension, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Director of External Communications and Government Relations, College of ACES, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dean, College of ACES, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Clinical Associate Professor, College of ACES, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Assistant Director of Government Relations, University of Illinois Extension

Interim Assistant Dean and Program Leader, Community and Economic Development, University of Illinois Extension

Apprenticeship Instructor, Windy City Harvest, Chicago Botanic Garden

Program Director, Windy City Harvest, Chicago Botanic Garden

Senior Manager of Health and Wellness, Windy City Harvest, Chicago Botanic Garden

 

Managing Director, Illinois Agri-Food Alliance

Projects and Office Coordinator, Illinois Agri-Food Alliance

Careers Coordinator, Illinois Agri-Food Alliance

 

Lt. Governor of Illinois, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Senior Advisor to the Lt. Governor, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Director of External Affairs & Constituent Services, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Digital Communications Specialist, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Policy Director, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Dunn Fellow, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

2024 Illini ISPP Scholar, Office of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton