2017 A-State Agribusiness Conference set for Feb. 8
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University’s annual Agribusiness Conference, now in its 23rd year, continues to provide timely information and agricultural policy education to farmers, agribusiness professionals, students and educators across the Mid-South.
This year’s conference, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, will focus on the agricultural economy, the impact of the 2016 election, agricultural policy and strategy for the next farm bill, and the outlook for commodity, credit and farmland markets.
On-site registration will begin at 7:45 a.m. in A-State’s Fowler Center. Lunch will be served in the Convocation Center at noon. Afternoon sessions end at 4 p.m.
The morning general session features four speakers and a panel discussion:
- Richard Brock, president of Brock Associates, will discuss the agricultural economy and commodity markets.
- Sara Wyant, president of Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., will discuss the 2016 election and its impact on agricultural and trade policy.
- Dana Brooks, director of government relations and industry affairs with Land O’Lakes, will describe how state legislatures are increasingly involved in driving agriculture policy.
- Chuck Conner, president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, will discuss the outlook and strategy for the next farm bill.
The luncheon speaker, Rex Nelson, is a senior vice president and director of corporate community relations for Simmons First National Corporation and an expert on Arkansas history and culture. Rex will discuss the economic and political history of the Arkansas Delta and how the Delta’s history is impacting its future.
Afternoon special-interest sessions include an update on agricultural credit and farmland markets, rice and cotton market issues, and poultry and beef market trends.
Continuing education credits will be available according to guidelines of the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy, Arkansas Certified Crop Advisors and Arkansas Crop Consultants, and the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Joining the College of Agriculture and Technology to sponsor the conference are:
The Judd Hill Foundation, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Allenberg Cotton Company, the Arkansas Farm Bureau, Bear State Bank, Busch Agricultural Resources LLC, Farm Credit Midsouth, Glaub Farm Management, Greenway Equipment Inc., Helena Chemical Company, National Land Realty, Ozark Mountain Poultry, Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull PLLC, Riceland Foods Inc., RiceTec Inc. and the USA Rice Federation.
Admission to the conference and luncheon is free, but pre-registration is encouraged. Detailed conference information and online registration are available at AState.edu/agribusconf. To register by phone, one may contact the College of Agriculture and Technology, (870) 972-3221, or email rjoslin@AState.edu.
