Registration is open for the 42nd annual Fresno State Agribusiness Management Conference, which will host economic forecasts and presentations for people in the agricultural industry as well as interested faculty, staff and students from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Pardini’s Catering and Banquets in Fresno (2257 W. Shaw Ave.). 

The conference theme is “The Future of California Agriculture: Navigating Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.” It will feature leaders from the business, political and research sectors who will discuss agricultural economic, labor efficiency, technology and water policy topics.

“The agricultural business landscape is constantly changing. This year’s Agribusiness Conference will highlight the need for businesses to adapt to these ever-changing conditions, especially in light of the multifaceted challenges they face,” said Dr. Rolston St. Hilaire, dean of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State. 

Wells Fargo chief agricultural economist Michael Swanson will provide the keynote address from noon to 1 p.m. He offers a unique perspective of California’s array of agricultural commodities and their ties to national and international economic markets. 

Working for the nation’s largest commercial agricultural lender since 2000, he analyzes macroeconomic and international agricultural production, energy sector impacts, customer credit and risk strategies, and key agricultural crop and livestock markets. 

In prior roles, he has supervised dairy product supply chains and sales forecasting for Land O’Lakes; managed grain imports and value-added sales for Cargill subsidiary feed producers and flour millers in South America; and served as a transportation analyst for Burlington Northern Railway for its northern region stretching from Chicago to Seattle. 

Roger Bernard, an S&P global commodity analyst and former agricultural journalist, will provide an economic outlook for the opening session. He has also worked as an analyst for IHS Markit and Informa Economics and served as an editor for Pro Farmer and Farm Journal magazines.

Two panels will feature business and trade leaders discussing agricultural economic topics that are at the national forefront. They are:

“Agricultural Technology and Emerging Industry Adoption”

“Water Policy Impacts in the Central Valley of California”

  • Caitlin Peterson, associate director and research fellow, Public Policy Institute of California
  • Alexandra Biering, senior policy advocate, California Farm Bureau Federation
  • Thomas Holyoke, professor of political science, College of Social Sciences at Fresno State 
  • Moderator: Dr. Charles Hillyer, director, Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State

Registration for the conference is $100 at an early bird fee until Oct. 20. Late or walk-up registration will be accepted for $125 until the day of the conference. The student price is $50.

Event sponsors include Wells Fargo, Brandt, Farm Credit, California Chapter of ASFMRA Western Ag Professionals, American Pistachio Growers, Fortune Association, Steve Moore Farms and Zenith. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Fresno State students and community college faculty should contact event organizer Luz Mendoza at 559.278.7135 or luzmendoza@mail.fresnostate.edu before registering.