Blue Stage Schedule
Learn from top influencers through TedX-style speaker presentations on the virtual Blue Stage.
Blue Stage talks are short presentations (all under 15 minutes) that focus on a big idea or issue in agriculture. To tune in, log in to the Blue Room and click on the Blue Stage icon.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 27
Wednesday, Oct. 27
11:30 a.m. – Noon EDT
Igino Cafiero, Bear Flag Robotics, CEO, Co-founder
Aubrey Donnellan, Bear Flag Robotics, COO, Co-founder
Wednesday, Oct. 27
1 – 1:30 p.m. EDT
Dr. Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo, Elanco Animal Health, Chief Animal Welfare Officer
Sustainable livestock production is an important topic that is on everyone’s mind today. Sustainability is complex and requires the delicate balance of many important areas, including animal welfare. Dr. Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo will discuss her journey as a city girl who paved her way into the livestock industry to understand these issues firsthand. She will also talk about how she contributes to the science that drives good practices, communicates with the public to address misperceptions and works every day with producers to make meaningful changes in feeding the world.
Wednesday, Oct. 27
5:30 – 6 p.m. EDT
Laylah Bulman, Microsoft, Senior Business Program Manager
Bryan Bonham, Business Program Manager, Minecraft
Love playing Minecraft? You’re not alone! Minecraft is the most popular video game of all time. Come hear from two experts in Minecraft on how playing Minecraft: Education Edition can connect you to sustainability, climate change, farming and design.
THURSDAY, OCT. 28
Thursday, Oct. 28
11:30 a.m.– Noon EDT
Liz Hunt, Syngenta, Head of North America Sustainable and Responsible Business
Aleksander Kilde, Professional Alpine Skier and Syngenta Group Ambassador
With a passion for excellence and a drive to protect and support our ever-changing planet, Aleksander Kilde and Liz Hunt discuss the role of passion in work and how a simple smile can create endurance in the toughest of times.
Thursday, Oct. 28
1 – 1:30 p.m. EDT
Tony Orlando, Firestone, President, Firestone Ag, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
Brian Goldstine, Bridgestone, President, Mobility Solutions and Fleet Management, Bridgestone Americas Inc.
Learn how the increasing rate of change in the transportation industry impacts your operation and the tires that support your equipment. From tried-and-true enhancements like radial tires and increased flexion/very high flexion technology to more recent trends like autonomous vehicles and electrification, hear how tires have been and continue to adapt and improve, leading to increased farm productivity and higher yields.
Thursday, Oct. 28
5:30 – 6 p.m. EDT
Ben Fargher, Cargill, Managing Director, Sustainability
Ben Fargher from Cargill shares an overview of regenerative agriculture and how agriculture can be part of the solution to climate change while providing farmers with new opportunities. Cargill RegenConnect™ is a new program designed to pay farmers for carbon sequestration. You’ll learn more about why regenerative agriculture is important and how farmers can take advantage of the emerging carbon market.
FRIDAY, OCT. 29
Friday, Oct. 29
11:30 a.m. – Noon EDT
Becca Holt, Valent U.S.A., Product Manager
Blake Van Der Kamp, #SpeakAg Pioneer
Valent U.S.A. is on a mission to advance sustainable agriculture in North America. Blake Van Der Kamp interviews Becca Holt about how she arrived in her role with Valent U.S.A., the company’s commitment to sustainability, and how working together, we can continually learn, improve and enable sustainable ag in harmony with the environment and society.
Experiences
The FFA Blue Room shows you how these companies are creating a more sustainable future.
Chat with industry experts to get a glimpse of the future and how you’ll play an important role.
FFA Blue Room Sponsors
AEM
BASF
Bayer
Cargill
Elanco Animal Health
Firestone
General Mills
John Deere
Merck Animal Health
Sealed Air
Syngenta
Valent