Hutchins Featured Speaker During UI Ag Days

This is Ag Week on the University of Idaho campus. And prior to the pandemic, the UI was planning on wrapping up the weeklong event with a keynote address from USDA deputy undersecretary Scott Hutchins.

But, after the pandemic broke out, school officials worked to move Ag days into the virtual world. Because of that, Hutchins key note address will now be offered on-line Friday October 9^th. Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences dean Michael Parrella said Hutchins will provide participants a view of agriculture beyond the local, and offer a look at federal and international policy.

“Looking at agriculture and innovation and agriculture pretty much across the United States.  So, in that sense.   I think it’s an opportunity for people to engage with the speaker and to understand what’s happening at the federal level.”

Parrella noted having someone of Hutchings prominence at the USDA speaking at a UI event is truly a feather in the cap of the school. He added this will also agriculture here in the west to share with D.C. some of the everyday concerns farmers face.

“We have an opportunity here with Scott to talk about some of the issues that maybe affect us, and I don’t want to say he’s not aware of, but things are different out here. They’re different out west.  So, that’s a big part of it.”

Hutchins speech, “Igniting Agricultural Innovation,” will take place online from 4-5:30 p.m. Pacific. The event is free and open to those who register in advance. Click Here to learn more or to register.

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