Ag Allies Conference

October 30, 2026

With a $111 billion annual contribution to our state’s economy, agriculture helps drive a major share of North Carolina’s economic success — representing one-sixth of our state’s overall income. It is a powerhouse industry that continues to be a major employer for the state, providing jobs to 16% of employees in North Carolina.*

Ranked 9th in the U.S. for value of agricultural products sold, the agriculture industry is and will remain critical to North Carolina’s reputation as an economic leader in the Southeast. However, farmers and agricultural businesses across the state recognize that they must adapt to a changing workforce, evolving technology, and the latest state and federal regulations to continue thriving within their sector. The NC Chamber’s Ag Allies Conference addresses these issues to ensure the industry as a whole can keep its wheels in motion for the continued prosperity of the state.

*Data derived from the North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Learn how the NC Chamber is advocating for our state’s agriculture and agribusiness communities here.

Presented By

Agenda

Friday, October 30

7:30 am	Registration, Breakfast, and Networking
8:00 am	Welcome Remarks Ray Starling, General Counsel, NC Chamber, and President, NC Chamber Legal Institute
8:15 am	U.S. Ag Trade Outlook Ambassador Julie Callahan, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the US Trade Representative Gregg Doud, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Milk Producers Federation, and Former Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the US Trade Representative
9:05 am	Sponsor Remarks Leta LaRush, Vice President, BASF Ag Solutions Canada
9:10 am	Ag Economic Outlook Bart Fischer, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center, Texas A&M University
10:00 am	Networking Break
10:20 am	Food Manufacturing in NC – A Symmetrical Opportunity for Ag? Jamie Crumley, Owner, Harpley’s LLC Matt McCollum, Chief Executive Officer, Garner Foods Mohan Valluri, Executive Vice President, Alamance Foods Sarah Grace Lee, NC Ag Leads Manager, NC Chamber
11:20 am	American Food Power: The Road Ahead Brett Sciotto, CEO, Center for American Food Power
12:10 pm	Lunch and Networking
1:00 pm	NC Ag Leads – In Motion Scott Hamilton, President, Golden LEAF Foundation Gary Salamido, President and CEO, NC Chamber
1:25 pm	The American Meat Industry in Transition Ray Starling, General Counsel, NC Chamber, and President, NC Chamber Legal Institute Julie Anna Potts, President & CEO, Meat Institute, Member of the Penn State University Board of Trustees, and Board Member of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
2:30 pm	Closing Remarks & Adjourn Can’t make it this year but want to attend in the future? Sign up for event alerts to get notified when we announce the date for future events! Sign Up!