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

NRCS staff will participate at the upcoming Agricultural Outlook Forum on March 1 and 2, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.  There is no registration fee for USDA employees in the Washington, D.C. area, however, there will be a $15 onsite registration fee 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 public is invited to attend the USDA forum that provides timely forecasts of farm prospects and insight into developments affecting the farm economy.  About 1,600 persons are expected this year’s forum that will feature several sessions of special interest to NRCS employees. On Thursday morning, Conservation Agriculture, Precision Agriculture, and Carbon Sequestration Potential will highlight the positive impacts that agriculture can make on the environment while saving producers money.

On Friday morning, a session on the U.S. Farm Bill: USDA Perspective will feature USDA leadership who will offer perspectives on issues of concern voiced by rural Americans.
Moderator: Arlen Lancaster, Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
Washington, DC
USDA Perspective:
Mark Keenum, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, USDA
Washington, DC
Thomas Dorr, Under Secretary for Rural Development, USDA
Washington, DC
Bruce Knight, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, USDA
Washington, DC
Mark Rey, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, USDA
Washington, DC

On Friday afternoon, Carl Lucero, NRCS National Leader for Clean Water, Beltsville, Maryland, will participate in a discussion on Water Quality Trading Markets: Wave of the Future.  NRCS will also be featuring components of the new Energy Saver exhibit.
Your contacts are Jerry Namken, NRCS Senior Resource Economist, at 202-720-7665, and Ted Kupelian, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 202-720-5776.