Won W. Koo, director of the NDSU Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, along with U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad, will host the conference, 2012 Farm Bill: Issues and Challenges, Nov. 7-8, at the Holiday Inn in Fargo.
The conference is the first forum among decision makers in the public sector, leaders of commodity groups/farm organizations, agricultural producers and academics for the 2012 Farm Bill in the U.S. The purpose of the conference is to identify farm policy alternatives which will provide a prosperous and vibrant rural economy, and to discuss key issues influencing the U.S. agricultural sector, including bio-energy production, macroeconomic conditions, farm safety-net, conservation and trade policies.
Major topics to be discussed during the conference include:
· political environment for U.S. agricultural policy
· fundamentals of the new farm bill
· emerging issues in U.S. agriculture
· an appropriate policy framework for production agriculture
· agricultural competitiveness
· and risk management under increasing uncertainty
In addition, a panel session will be devoted to discuss unique issues and challenges Northern Plains agriculture could face in formulating the 2012 farm bill.
Featured speakers include Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture (invited); Michael Scuse, undersecretary of agriculture; Bill Murphy, administrator, Risk Management Agency; U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Amy Klobuchar; U.S. Rep. Rick Berg; and national leaders of major commodity groups and farm organizations.
The conference registration fee is $150 per person; however, NDSU faculty can register for $100. To get the reduced rate, register online and enter the promotional code NDSUFAC. Registration includes meals, breaks and conference materials. For more information and registration, visit www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/capts. Questions can be directed to Sandy Osborne at 1-8642.