Feb. 5 Event is Free and Open to the Public

Press Contact: Hannah Love

515-322-0435

WEST DES MOINES, IA - Former United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Economist Seth Meyer is returning to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit to speak on the economic outlook for agriculture and renewable fuels. Dr. Meyer recently left USDA to become the new Director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri.

"Dr. Meyer brings a wealth of experience in analyzing and forecasting agricultural markets, and we're excited for him to deliver a forward-looking take on the future of commodity markets and renewable fuels," said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt.

The 2026 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit is taking place on February 5, 2026, and will be at the Prairie Meadows Event Center. The Summit is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register and learn more about the Summit, please visit IowaRenewableFuelsSummit.org .

Prior to his time at USDA, Dr. Meyer was a Research Professor and the Associate Director for FAPRI. FAPRI is well known for its agricultural policy and market analysis, being called on by Congress and USDA for insight into commodity production, price, farm income and trade impacts from various agricultural policies including Farm Bill proposals, trade agreements and disruptions, and crop insurance.

Dr. Meyer was previously the head of the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) in the Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), the agency at USDA charged bringing together USDA resources in the assessment of crops around the world. The OCE also publishes those finding in the 'WASDE' report which is closely watched by agricultural markets here and abroad.

Dr. Meyer has also served as an economist with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and as a visiting scholar at several research institutions around the world. Dr. Meyer grew up in eastern Iowa and has a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri.

###

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association represents the state's liquid renewable fuels industry and works to foster its growth. Iowa is the nation's leader in renewable fuels production with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing 5.5 billion gallons annually - including 34 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity - and 8 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce 416 million gallons annually. For more information, visit the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association website at: www.IowaRFA.org .