Agricultural Outlook Forum -- “Agriculture at the Crossroads: Energy, Farm & Rural Policy”

USDA will hold its 83rd Agricultural Outlook Forum on March 1 and 2, 2007, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.  USDA holds the forum to provide timely forecasts of farm prospects and insight into developments affecting the farm economy.  About 1,600 persons are expected to attend.

There is no registration fee for USDA employees in the Washington, D.C. area, however, there will be a $15 onsite registration fee in 2007 for anyone who does not register by February 3.  This includes all USDA employees.  Program details and registration information is available on the forum’s website.

The 2007 Forum will feature Secretary Mike Johanns and leading CEOs focusing on the impact of bioenergy on agriculture.  Scott Kilman, of the Wall Street Journal, moderates the plenary panel discussing “Renewable Energy - Inroads to Agriculture.”  Guest speakers include Patricia Woertz, CEO of the Archer Daniels Midland Company, and John Johnson, CEO of CHS Inc., (one of the largest US cooperative marketers of grain and oilseed).

Robert Dinneen, President of the Renewable Fuels Association, will address the “U.S. Potential for Biofuels.”  He joins distinguished speakers addressing domestic and international biofuel issues, including the potential for butenol, cellulosic, wind, and methane as energy resources.

Robert Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation; Ralph Grossi, President of the American Farmland Trust; and Howard Vincent, CEO of Pheasants Forever, will speak on the next U.S. farm bill.  Moderating the session will be Dr. Bruce Gardner, author of American Agriculture in the 20th Century: How It Flourished and What It Cost.

Roger Bernard of Pro Farmer and Dave Juday of World Perspectives will speak on risk management.

On the international front, Tim Josling, Stanford University, will speak on “Litigation or Negotiation? Are Future Dispute Settlements on the Horizon?;” William Cline of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, will speak on the “Growing Trade with Developing Countries;” and William C. Motes of Informa Economics addresses “Agricultural Exports With or Without an Agreement.”  Speakers also come from Sweden, Brazil, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Belgium, and France.
Your contact is Ted Kupelian, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-5776.