About the Summit: Farm Foundation Round Table Fellows Summit

U.S. food and agriculture policy and institutions are anchored in a rich history, most of them dating back to the dust bowl. Join us as we imagine a pathway forward with an “innovation policy sandbox” - a safe, trusted space, off the record, where we can imagine together what a new approach could look like for the future of food and ag policy. This is an important time for our sector and we value the opportunity to gather and brainstorm new approaches and the role we could play in shaping them through collaboration.

On May 20, 2025, the Farm Foundation convened a private, nonpartisan summit at its Innovation and Education Campus in Libertyville, Illinois. This event brought together a cross-sector group of leaders from government, agribusiness, food retailers, research institutions, and the farming community. The summit was designed as a working session, not a lecture series—featuring interactive panels, small-group discussions, andcollaborative problem-solving focused on innovation, not just diagnosis. The results are outlined below and the invitation-only event on September 13th will build on the conversation & expand on an identifying theme from the summit, creating Policy Sandboxes for Innovation amongst Farm Foundation Round Table Fellows.

The U.S. food and agriculture system is confronting a complex and growing set of challenges. Global supply chain vulnerabilities, climate extremes, and international conflicts are converging with domestic issues such as rural population decline, concentrated land ownership, and fragmented policies. Together, these forces have generated widespread uncertainty, policy gridlock, and diverging expectations among stakeholders.

Yet, these challenges also present a rare opportunity to rethink and reshape the future of American agriculture. Emerging technologies, expanded broadband access, modernized markets, and growing public interest in sustainability offer the tools to build a more equitable, resilient, and environmentally responsible system. But technological solutions alone are not enough. Achieving lasting change will require rebuilding trust, reforming outdated institutions, and fostering new models of collaboration.

While participants brought diverse perspectives, three unifying themes emerged:

Creating Policy Sandboxes for Innovation
Attendees widely supported the development of “policy sandboxes”—controlled environments that allow for the testing of new agricultural and food policy approaches on a small scale before broader implementation. These safe “testing grounds” could foster innovation while minimizing risk, enabling more agile and adaptive
policy development.

Reinvesting in Rural Communities
Participants emphasized that rural America is not only the backbone of food, fuel, and fiber production but also home to families, businesses, and a rich rural legacy. Revitalizing rural communities is essential for the future of agriculture. This means comprehensive investments—in education, healthcare, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and leadership development—that go beyond just targeted agricultural support.

Modernizing Extension Services
The Cooperative Extension System—originally designed to translate research into practical guidance for farmers—must be reimagined to meet the needs of today’s diverse agricultural landscape. Participants called for more inclusive, tech-enabled, and community-centered extension models. These might include mobile advisory platforms, peer-to-peer learning networks, and integrated hubs addressing agricultural, environmental, and social needs. Importantly, better engagement with diverse producer groups was identified
as both an equity imperative and a practical priority.

In addition to these central themes, the summit explored key enablers of change, such as improved data infrastructure, innovative risk-sharing models, and stronger public-private partnerships. Throughout all of the discussions, a consistent message was clear: financial resources and advanced technologies are essential, but not sufficient. Trust, collaboration, and institutional renewal are equally vital.

Participants also identified five persistent barriers that hinder progress:

Fragmented and misaligned policies
Disproportionate risk burdens
Outdated or under-resourced extension services
Insufficient rural investment and infrastructure
A deepening urban-rural divide

Participants agreed that these challenges are interconnected and must be addressed through coordinated,cross-sector action.

A Vision in Progress
The future of American agriculture depends not only on tools and technologies but also on new relationships, institutions, and approaches to problem solving. By piloting bold policy innovations, investing in vibrant rural communities, and transforming support systems like extension, the agricultural section can shift from fragmented, and often competing, initiatives to a more coherent, inclusive, and future-ready system.

This vision is not a static plan—it is a dynamic, evolving commitment. It will require sustained effort, open dialogue, and courageous leadership from across the sector. Farmers, researchers, business leaders, policymakers, investors, and community advocates all have a role to play. Together, we can build a more resilient and equitable agricultural future for a rapidly changing world.