Ag Outlook Forum
September 21-22, 2026
Kansas City Marriott Downtown
200 West 12th Street, Kansas City
The 12th annual Ag Outlook Forum brought together nearly 300 attendees for one of the Midwest’s premier pre-harvest gatherings, convening leaders from across the agricultural, government, and business sectors in Kansas City and online.
Moderated by Agri-Pulse Founder and Publisher Sara Wyant, the program featured a strong lineup of speakers addressing the issues shaping agriculture and the rural economy—from rising input costs and the broader U.S. farm economy to changes underway at USDA. Tuesday’s program included perspectives from USDA Chief Economist Justin Benavidez, Dairy Farmers of America President and CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Nathan Kauffman, FAPRI Director Seth Meyer, and other agricultural leaders.
The Forum opened Monday afternoon with a welcome from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, followed by a fireside chat with former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns and a Farm Bureau Presidents’ Panel featuring Kansas Farm Bureau President Glenn Brunkow and Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins.
Attendees also welcomed a special guest on Tuesday, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Glen Smith, who joined the Forum to introduce himself and connect with agricultural leaders from across the region. Smith was sworn in as Under Secretary in August 2026 after a career that included farming, agricultural business and service on the Farm Credit Administration Board.
With nearly 300 participants, a diverse range of perspectives, and timely conversations about the forces affecting agriculture and rural America, the 2026 Forum continued its tradition as a leading venue for ag and food industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and gain perspective on the year ahead.
Meeting Material - Ag Economy Speaker Slides:
