Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce Announces 2026 Agriculture Forum Focused on Policy, Prices, and the Future of Farming

ROCKY MOUNT, NC — At a time when farmers and agribusinesses are facing rising costs, policy uncertainty, and mounting pressure on food systems, the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce will convene leaders from across North Carolina agriculture for its 2026 Agriculture Forum on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Brown Auditorium at Nash Community College.

The Agriculture Forum is designed to tackle the real issues shaping agriculture today, from trade policy and food prices to long term sustainability for farmers and rural communities. This event will bring together producers, policymakers, economists, and industry leaders for candid conversation, shared insight, and practical perspective. Admission is free, and breakfast will be provided. 

The forum will feature a keynote address from Dr. Garey Fox, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University. Dr. Fox will offer a statewide outlook on agricultural research, workforce development, and what lies ahead for North Carolina farming. The keynote presentation is proudly sponsored by Southern Bank. 

A moderated panel discussion will follow, led by Lynda Loveland, Director of Communications for the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation. The discussion will focus on timely and sometimes challenging issues facing agriculture today, including how tariffs and trade policy are influencing agricultural markets and on farm decision making, the connection between agricultural policy and food prices experienced by consumers, and the long-term sustainability of North Carolina agriculture and its farming communities.

Panelists participating in the discussion include Richard Anderson of Anderson Farms in Edgecombe County, Gwen Pitt of Pitt Family Farm, Dr. Andrew Greenland, Professor in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics at NC State University, Jay Boyette with the North Carolina Farm Bureau, and Michelle Grainger, Executive Director of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Association.

The 2026 Agriculture Forum is open to everyone, including farmers, agribusiness professionals, and community stakeholders invested in the future of agriculture. Registration is free and available at: https://business.rockymountchamber.org/ap/Events/Register/g4FD65efzCyCo