German federal officials open International Green Week on Jan. 16, 2025, the world’s largest consumer fair for the food, agricultural, and horticultural industries. (Photos by Chris Pfaff)
BERLIN, Germany — Agricultural issues, rural development, and energy topics led the agenda for a multi-day economic deep dive in Berlin, Germany in mid-January 2025. Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development (KCIED), joined a Midwest delegation at the invitation of the German Consul General’s office, which included representatives of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The Indiana group and other regional U.S. officials were also joined by a traveling D.C.-based journalist, who was covering the event for agricultural and industry media.
“The trip, which included taking part in both the 2025 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture and the annual ‘International Green Week,’ presented a strategic opportunity to gain a better understanding of agricultural policies and rural development,” said Pfaff, who returned from the trip on January 23. “The time also provided an important opportunity to strengthen direct network contacts between Germany and Knox County Indiana, especially in the ag sector.”
International Green Week attracts global food producers
The International Green Week (IGW) in Berlin is considered to be the world’s largest consumer fair for the food, agricultural, and horticultural industries. Food producers from all over the world utilize the IGW to introduce new products, to evaluate market food, and elevate agriculturally related brands.
Agricultural briefings
The international GFFA gathering provided economists, scientists, and representatives with an opportunity to discuss strengthening agriculture and improving food security. “Given Knox County’s strong ag history and agricultural industry presence, making contacts, comparing notes, and gathering policy information helps us prepare to position the region as attractive for future foreign direct investment,” explained Pfaff.
The Midwest representatives received several briefings on a regional level of rural development success and growth issues, especially as they may relate to overseas areas. The trip included a visit to working farms near Berlin, where the group reviewed German equipment brands like CLAAS, which is also sold and distributed in southern Indiana. “We did see U.S. brands, such as John Deere equipment, active in Germany, which performed well alongside German manufacturing design,” added Pfaff.
Among other ties to Germany, Knox County Indiana is presently home to a custom facility of SCHOTT, a German-owned glass manufacturing business, which is located in Vincennes. SCHOTT CERAN, the world-famous glass-ceramic cooktop, is processed and finished at the Vincennes SCHOTT facility, which employs about 150 locally.
For more information about Green Week and its vast number and depth of international participants, click here. More information about the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture can be found at this link.

Officials reviewed policies for food production, food security and agriculture during January, which were attended by members of a Midwest delegation that included representatives from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and Knox County Indiana.

Several formal briefings of trade and ag policies and projections took place during the economic development visit to Berlin, Germany January 6-20

Discussions and demonstrations of alternative energy sources, including biomass, were reviewed during both the International Green Week and Global Forum for Food and Agriculture presentations in Berlin.

Innovative means for boosting food production and agriculture productivity were showcased at Berlin during the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture during January 2025.