Annual Agricultural Conference
On November 17, 2015, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Upjohn Institute held a conference to explore labor issues affecting agriculture and the rural Midwest. Farm jobs are key components of rural income in the Midwest, yet non-farm employment can be vital for many agricultural families. At the conference, experts from academia, industry and policy institutions discussed workforce trends, labor challenges and ways to improve life in the rural Midwest. The goals of the conference include understanding key issues related to rural and farm labor; describing the effects of labor challenges in rural areas; examining policies that affect rural and farm jobs; and grappling with possible solutions that would position the midwestern economy and agriculture for prosperous futures.
The conference preceded on November 16, 2015, by a performance of a play that deals with immigrant experiences in agriculture. A reception was held at 5:30 p.m. and the play at 6:30 p.m.
