The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that Secretary Tom Vilsack will deliver the keynote address for the 85th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, “Global Agriculture & Rural America in Transition,” Feb. 26, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va.

This year the Forum will focus on a broad range of topical issues related to energy, trade, technology, farm policy, risk management and rural America.

The Forum also will feature traditional commodity supply and demand and food price outlooks.

Vilsack was sworn in as the 30th secretary of USDA on Jan. 21. In 1998, he was elected governor of Iowa, an office he held for two four-year terms.

USDA has hosted this annual event since 1923 to provide farmers and ranchers, government, and agribusinesses with information for decision-making.

The Forum begins at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, and ends at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27.

For a roster of speakers, program preview and registration, go to www.usda.gov/oce/forum.

Registration is $375.

Plenary speeches will be Webcast after 3:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 26, with speech and PowerPoint presentations posted online at the end of each day’s sessions.