2024 Hawai‘i Agriculture Conference announces open registration

Registration is now open for the 2024 Hawai‘i Agriculture Conference – AG2024 – to be held Nov. 7 and 8, 2024 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

This well-attended statewide event gathers local and national agriculture and food production leaders to share ideas and trends in the ever-evolving industry. AG2024 is hosted by the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i, in cooperation with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, along with Principal sponsor Ulupono Initiative. 

This year’s conference theme, “Building CommUNITY through Hawai‘i Agriculture” demonstrates how Hawai‘i’s agricultural system is a dynamic and interconnected network that serves as a cornerstone for the community’s overall well-being. The previous Hawai‘i Agriculture Conference held in 2022 had over 600 industry members in attendance.

Early bird registration for this year’s conference is available for $350 until Sept. 18, after which the price for regular registration is $400. Late registration after Oct. 24 is $450. Middle school, high school, and undergraduate and graduate college students, and their teachers and advisors can register for $200.

The conference plays a vital role in ensuring food security, providing essential ecosystem services, promoting economic diversification, and fostering a deep sense of stewardship (mālama) for the environment. Considering recent global and local challenges, there is a renewed appreciation for agriculture as an integral part of our community’s fabric. This sector’s resilience and growth depend on the collective efforts of a diverse array of stakeholders, including producers, landowners, decision-makers, and consumers, as well as many other auxiliary players.

Together, these groups must work collaboratively to build a sustainable agricultural system that not only feeds the community, but also enhances the broader ecosystem in which it exists.

“AG2024 comes at a pivotal moment where the strength of Hawai‘i’s agricultural system is more crucial than ever,” says Diane Ley, President for the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i. “Our agricultural community is not just about growing crops; it’s about fostering food security, preserving our environment, and driving economic diversification. By coming together – producers, landowners, decision-makers, and consumers alike – we can build a resilient agricultural sector that nourishes our community and strengthens our connection to the land and each other.”

Other sponsors for this year’s conference include American Ag Credit, Corteva Agriscience, Bayer, Germinate By HIplan, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Lydgate Farms, Mahi Pono, Meadow Gold, Nutrien AgSolutions, Young Brothers, and Arizona State University’s Swette Center For Sustainable Food Systems.

A list of event speakers will be publicized at a later date. To learn more about AG2024 or to register for the conference, visit http://hiagconference.org.