February 21, 2024 – Veterinarian and master of public health Michelle Kromm, alongside HealthforAnimals’ Alex Rinkus, will dive into the topic of animal agriculture and its role in public health at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit. The 2024 event, themed “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture,” is set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Check out the full agenda and register by March 8 for the lowest rates: https://bit.ly/AAA24.
“Antibiotics are an important tool for people and animals, and their continued effectiveness is paramount to safeguard animal health and food availability,” said Emily Ellis, manager, communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “Eliminating this tool from farmers’ toolboxes would do more harm than good and be in direct violation of recommended animal welfare practices. Michelle and Alex will provide an expert view on the subject, backed up with decades of research, to support the animal agriculture community and our partners along the food chain in identifying solutions to the challenging issue of antibiotic resistance.”
Antibiotics and their effectiveness have been a long-standing hot topic in the agriculture community and with consumers. Kromm and Rinkus will share more than 20 years of insights into managing the balance between animal and public health. This includes data on the OneHealth approach, which recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and the shared environment. Rinkus and Kromm will also provide information on additional support and tools needed on the front lines for farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians to continue making progress in this area.
Kromm, DVM, MPH, MAM, Diplomate ACPV, is principal at Food Forward LLC, a consulting practice focused on improving the resiliency of the food system. She is a board-certified poultry veterinarian who received a concurrent doctorate of veterinary medicine from Iowa State University and master’s of public health from the University of Iowa in 2006. Kromm has served on more than 15 taskforces and committees addressing the topic of emergency disease preparedness, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance, including serving as the vice chair of the National Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education. Previously, she worked as the vice president of animal health and welfare for Hormel Foods.
Rinkus is director of communications and stakeholder engagement at HealthforAnimals, the global animal health association that believes healthy animals are fundamental for improving global well-being, sustainability, and prosperity. Rinkus joined HealthforAnimals in 2016 following previous roles in agriculture, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. He holds a bachelor’s degree from American University in political science.
The annual Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies and media.
Thank you to our 2024 Summit sponsors: Farm Journal, Meatingplace, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Watt Global Media, Cargill, Zoetis, American Feed Industry Association, broadhead. + Filament, Merck, United Soybean Board, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit Council, National Pork Producers Council, Pet Advocacy Network, Smithfield Foods, United Egg Producers, American Farm Bureau Federation, Cal-Maine Foods, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Kemin, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Pork Board, Phileo Lesaffre Animal Care, Progressive Dairy, Protect the Harvest, Sustainable Environmental Consultants, Trans Ova Genetics, Eggland’s Best, North Carolina Farm Bureau, and Vivayic.
Get involved:
Maximize your brand visibility and impact by becoming a sponsor of the 2024 Summit today! For more information on sponsorship opportunities still available, contact Logan Hall at lhall@animalagalliance.org.
Donate an item to the 2024 Silent Auction to support the 2024 College Aggies Online scholarship program. Previous auction donations have included goods and services such as artwork, quilts, jewelry, craft items, model farm equipment, gift baskets, gift certificates, food and wine, and sporting or entertainment event tickets. Fill out the request form or contact Grace Platte at gplatte@animalagalliance.org with any questions.
Help us spread the word about Summit! If you refer a friend to attend the 2024 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. We will give away two $100 gift cards during the Summit – one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 3 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.
Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA24 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit please email summit@
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