The impact of the 2020 election, trade shows, and customer connections, as well as priorities for 2021, drove discussions at the final meeting of AEM’s Ag Sector Board for this year.
The Board convened via teleconference on Thursday, Nov. 19, and covered a full agenda, one which focused on advocacy, regulatory and ag policy, education and events, and much more.
AEM Ag Sector Board Chair Jerry Johnson of Blount International/Woods Equipment called the meeting to order and sought approval of the minutes from the August Ag Sector Board Meeting.
During the meeting, the Ag Sector Board covered the following:
Customer Connections
AEM Senior Vice President of Exhibitions and Marketing Nicole Hallada and AEM Director of Ag Events John Rozum provided an update on AEM exhibitions, including Commodity Classic 2021 moving from an in-person trade show to a content-driven digital experience, and the Association’s Ag Customers Connection Task Force’s efforts to expand and enhance AEM’s involvement in Commodity Classic.
Following the discussion, the Board approved a motion for a resolution to monitor AEM’s Exhibitions Strategic Plan for ag sector opportunities.
Advocacy and Regulatory Activities
Prior to the report provided by Hallada and Rozum, the Board heard from AEM Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Ag Policy Nick Tindall, who detailed the Association’s engagement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on its Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA) initiative. Later on in the meeting, AEM Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Kip Eideberg provided a comprehensive recap on the 2020 state, gubernatorial and federal elections, along with their impact on AEM members and the ag industry. AEM Senior Vice President of Ag Services Curt Blades then led a discussion on the future of sustainability, how it will affect ag, as well as AEM’s newly formed Sustainability Council.
Review of 2020 Priorities and Discussion of 2021 Priorities
The Board also spent some time reviewing its 2020 Ag Sector priorities and evaluated achievements and efforts on the part of the Association related to those priorities. The 2020 AEM Ag Sector priorities were as follows:
- Secure AEM’s leadership role in precision ag
- Maintain and grow AEM’s global ag leadership position to promote a positive image of modern agriculture
- Grow AEM’s positive influence on Commodity Classic and customer connections activities
- Implement plan for rural and agricultural industry workforce development
- Ensure market access for members’ products (stewardship)
- Proactively address state and federal advocacy issues (advocacy)
The Board then participated in an open discussion regarding proposed 2021 Ag Sector priorities, before closing out the meeting congratulating Ag Sector Board Chair Jerry Johnson on his impending retirement from Blount International/Woods Equipment.
Prior to the meeting, the Ag Sector Board received reports on each of the following AEM service areas that outlined the latest updates and actions led by AEM staff. The service area updates included:
Ag Sector
- Ag Leadership Groups
- Agrievolution & Global Ag Data
- Regulatory & Ag Policy
Joint Sector Services
- Business Intelligence
- Statistics
- Membership
- Safety & Product Leadership
- Workforce Solutions
- Advocacy
Joint Sector Committees
- Component Members Executive Committee
- Service Members Executive Committee
- Aftermarket Support Committee
- Sustainability Council
- Futures Council
Source: AEM
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