The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold an Agricultural Outlook Forum virtual event Feb. 24 and 25 titled “New Paths to Sustainability and Productivity Growth.”

R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering Ajay Malshe

Ajay P. Malshe, the R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering, will speak about the convergence of advanced agriculture manufacturing, food and climate equity, and community and job creation by innovation through Future Foods and Farms. Convergent manufacturing will complement traditional agriculture and food production through new breakthroughs to enable tasty, nutrition-dense and calorie-rich food for all towards an equitable society, including farmers and end users.

He will also discuss Purdue’s Initiative on Convergent-manufacturing for Agriculture, and Food for Equity (I-CAFE), a cross-college initiative involving five colleges and over 30 faculty scholars.

The opening plenary session will feature a fireside chat between Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Elizabeth Economy, senior advisor to the Secretary of Commerce. Secretary Vilsack and Dr. Economy will discuss U.S.-China agricultural trade relations and prospects for the Chinese agriculture market.

To learn more about the event, visit USDA’s 98^th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.