KANSAS CITY, MO. — The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) announced it will host the 2025 Annual Conference, titled “Securing Our Future: Don’t Just Talk…Act!” at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Mo., April 7-9. With a focus on maintaining trust across the value chain, the event will invite a space for a deep dive into topics like agriculture legislation, license to operate, the latest consumer insights and how to have a united voice in securing animal agriculture’s sector. For more than 100 years, NIAA has gathered animal ag leaders to address the pressing issues facing the animal agriculture sector.
“Year after year, we see new ballot initiatives taking steps toward ending animal agriculture,” said Karen Jordan with Dairy Farmers of America, former NIAA board member, Animal Disease Issues and Emergency Management Council co-chair, and a member of the Annual Conference planning committee. “The best way to move forward is with a united front from animal agriculture, and our agenda has pulled experts from our industry to help us come together. The goal of this year’s Annual Conference is to build on other organizations’ work on activism and trust in agriculture and provide guidance on creating an organizational plan for social license.”
Kicking off the program, keynote speaker Andy Curliss from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) will describe the current state of activism against animal agriculture and how to create a collective voice to secure the longevity of the sector. Later, board members from The US Agriculture Partnership Fund will discuss their initiatives to preserve the industry.
Other confirmed speakers include:
- Rick Stott, Superior Farms
- Dr. Jim Heird, Texas A&M University
- Danette Amstein, Midan Marketing
- Michael Schumpp, The Meat Institute
- Julie Broadway, American Horse Council
- Andrew Beardslee, NPPC
- Joel Leftwich, US Agriculture Partnership Fund
- Justina Graff, US House Agriculture Committee
On Monday, April 7, the Annual Conference will commence with NIAA’s council meetings and speakers. Tuesday, April 8, will contain the majority of the Annual Conference agenda and will close with an awards gala. On Wednesday, April 9, NIAA will hold three post-conference sessions — “What’s Next After Scrapie Eradication?” facilitated by the American Sheep Industry Association; “Convening & Coalescing National Animal Disease Preparedness and Responses” facilitated by NIAA for USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness & Response Program (NADPRP) stakeholders; and the NIAA board of directors meeting.
Early bird registration for the Annual Conference ends March 15. More information about the event is available at animalagriculture.org.
