Former USDA chief economist to speak at Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

Meyer

Former USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer is returning to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit to speak on the economic outlook for agriculture and renewable fuels.  

Meyer recently left USDA to become the new director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute 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 Lisa Coffelt, marketing director for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.  

The 2026 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit is taking place Feb. 5 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, visit IowaRenewableFuelsSummit.org. 

Prior to his time at USDA, 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. 

Meyer was previously the head of the World Agricultural Outlook Board in the Office of the Chief Economist, the agency at USDA charged bringing together USDA resources in the assessment of crops around the world.  

The OCE also publishes those findings in the WASDE report, which is closely watched by agricultural markets here and abroad. 

Meyer has also served as an economist with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and as a visiting scholar at several research institutions around the world. 

Meyer grew up in eastern Iowa and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University and a doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri.