The International Farming Food Summit welcomed more than 100 industry experts, scholars, thought leaders, farmers, and innovators for meaningful discussions about important global concerns such as grower practices, soil health, water stewardship, sustainability, and transparency.

RALEIGH, NC - Dec. 21, 2023 - International Farming (I.F.), a global food-sourcing solutions platform, brought the food system's most pressing needs to the forefront during its annual Summit. Held Dec. 4-5 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the International Farming Food Summit welcomed more than 100 industry experts, scholars, thought leaders, farmers, and innovators for meaningful discussions about important global concerns such as grower practices, soil health, water stewardship, sustainability, and transparency.

"Each year we welcome leaders from across our industry for meaningful discussions about how we produce the food that sustains our world," said Charlie McNairy, founder and CEO of International Farming. "The reality is, the global food system faces unprecedented concerns, as we anticipate we'll need to produce more food in the next 40 years than we have harvested in the past 8,000 years to support a projected 10-billion-person global population by 2050. As we face numerous challenges, from environmental concerns to social and political instability, it is more important than ever for our industry to rethink traditional processes to create a more sustainable future."

Over the two-day Summit, attendees heard from an impressive line-up of speakers and panelists. The event's keynote speaker was Taylor Keen, founder of Sacred Seed, a nonprofit that aims to increase education and awareness around indigenous environmentalism. A member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and the Cherokee Nation, Keen shared tribal wisdom on Indigenous agricultural thought leadership, as well as the story of Sacred Seed.

A section dedicated to Ag & Education featured Terri Long, director for education and workforce development with the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, and Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, director at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and professor of agroecology at North Carolina State University. A focus on reconnection & resiliency included sessions with Matthew Kochmann, founder and CEO of Transcend, which strives to help redefine the world's relationship with death through tree burial, Maggie Kane, founder and executive director of the Raleigh-based pay-what-you-can nonprofit café A Place at the Table, and Martin Crompton, regenerative vineyard and project director of Union Grove Farm, a North Carolina-based vineyard that created The Center for Regenerative Agriculture, a unique education center and demonstration farm.

Other speakers included Steve Troxler, the North Carolina Secretary of Agriculture, Qiana Mickie, executive director of the New York City Mayor's Office of Urban Agriculture, Maggie Monast, senior director of the Environmental Defense Fund, and the co-founders of women- and black-owned J&J Martin Produce, Jeannette Horn and Joyce Bowden.
"This year's event left us optimistic about the opportunity our industry faces, as our panelists and guests showcased the innovation and passion that can be used to transform how we grow, with the potential to solve the global food crisis," noted McNairy. "As we continue our company's mission to create a stronger, more transparent food economy, it will be important to work closely with other forward-thinking organizations and thought leaders to ensure we are creating a better future."

To learn more about I.F. and its vision for the future of food and agriculture, visit internationalfarming.com.

About International Farming
International Farming (I.F.) is a leading food-sourcing solutions platform. Through innovative ag-tech, asset management, and strategic partnerships, I.F. empowers food buyers and farmers to build a more transparent, global food economy. With agricultural roots dating back to 1827, I.F. brings a deep understanding and respect for farming and the land to its investment strategy.
For more information, visit internationalfarming.com.