Agribusiness Conference set for Feb. 10
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University’s annual Agribusiness Conference, now in its 22nd year, is continuing its tradition of timely information and education outreach to farmers and agribusiness professionals and educators across the Mid-South.
This year’s conference, on Wednesday, Feb. 10, will focus on the agricultural economy, environmental law and regulation, business transition planning, trade policy and the commodity market outlook. 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 will follow, ending at 4 p.m.
The morning general session will feature five speakers and a panel discussion:
- Stan Miller, an attorney and partner with ILP+McChain, Miller and Nissman, will discuss succession and estate-planning issues for agribusiness owners.
- Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, will describe how the regulation of crop agriculture is evolving and discuss other environmental law issues.
- Bob Cummings, COO of the USA Rice Federation, will give an update on agricultural and trade policy and how it is impacting the rice industry.
- David Schweikhardt from Michigan State University will explain the economics and politics of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and how it will impact U.S. agriculture.
- Jason Henderson, director of Extension at Purdue University, will review the agricultural finance situation and the outlook for the farm economy.
The luncheon speaker, John Phipps, is a farmer and commentator on the U.S. Farm Report – America's longest-running farm television program.
Afternoon special-interest sessions include an update on Arkansas Department of Agriculture programs by the state’s Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward, three speakers on commodity market trends, and three presentations on poultry and beef industry issues.
Joining the College of Agriculture & Technology to sponsor the conference are: The Judd Hill Foundation, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Allenberg Cotton Company, the Arkansas Farm Bureau, Bear State Bank, Bunge North America, 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 PLCC, 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/Agriconference. To register by phone, please contact the College of Agriculture & Technology, 870.972.3221, or email rjoslin@AState.edu.
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