National Value Added Agriculture Conference
June 2 - 4, 2009 Moline IL
Hosted by Iowa State University and University of Illinois
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009
7:00 pm Opening Ceremonies & Reception, John Deere Pavilion, Moline, IL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2009
7:30 am
Registration Opens
Registration Opens8:10 am Opening Welcome & Introductions
Opening Welcome & IntroductionsRobert Easter, Dean, Ag Consumer & Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois8:30 - 9:20 amGeneral Session
General SessionGary Zimmer - Midwestern Bio-Ag, Madison, Wis.
Gary Zimmer of Madison, WI is a farmer, author, agri-businessman and educator dedicated to biological agriculture. He is recognized around the world for his dedication to improving farming through restoring soils and has spoken to farmers and agribusiness professionals all across the U.S. and in Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
9:30 - 10:30 amConcurrent Sessions
Concurrent SessionsLocal/Regional Food Systems:
- “Financial Stability by Market Diversity”Steve DeBruin, Chairman & CEO, Source Verified Foods, Inc./Vande Rose Farms and Gary Matteson, Vice President, Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Programs, Farm Credit Services, Washington, D.C.
Value Added Business Development:
- “The Challenges of Bringing a Plant on Line”. John Rothgeb, TCEEnergy, Keokuk, Iowa
Agritourism:
- “The Agritourism Market - Drivers and Demand in a Growing Industry” John Pike, University of Illinois Extension and Marsha Laux, Iowa State University Extension
- “Lessons Learned - Producer Bus Tour”, Megan Bruch, University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture
10:30 - 11:00 amNetworking Break
Networking Break11:00 am - NoonConcurrent Sessions
Concurrent SessionsLocal/Regional Food Systems:
- “Can Local Foods Make an Economic Impact?" Dave Swenson, Department of Economics, Iowa State University
- “Can the Local Food Systems Movement be Sustainable?” Tim Woods, Extension Agricultural Economist, University of Kentucky
Value Added Business Development:
- “Local High Value Agriculture: Management Challenges and Experiences”, Gary Zimmer, Midwestern Bio-Ag, Blue Mounds, WI
Agritourism:
- “Development of a Statewide Agritourism Association” Ross Ament, Agritourism & Tourism Partners of Illinois Representative
Noon - 12:45 pmLunch
Lunch12:45 - 1:15 pmNetworking Break
Networking Break1:15 pm - 2:30 pmGeneral Session
General Session“Past, Present & Future of Value-Added Producer Grants” Mary Holz-Clause - Iowa State University & LeAnn Oliver, USDA
Mary Holz-Clause is Interim Assistant Vice President for Extension and Outreach at Iowa State University. Previously, Holz-Clause has served as the program director for the Value Added Agriculture program at Iowa State University, in Ames, IA. She also serves as the co-director of the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC).
LeAnn Oliver, USDARural Development, Deputy Administrator, Cooperative Programs, USDA
2:30 - 3:00 pmNetworking Break
Networking Break3:00 - 4:00 pmConcurrent Sessions
Concurrent SessionsLocal/Regional Food Systems:
“A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Local Foods and Preparation” Garry Griffith, Director of Dining, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL
Value Added Business Development:
“The Realities of Financing Rural Development Projects”
Dave Sengpiel, Senior Investment Manager, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Reg Clause, cattlemen and business development specialist, Iowa State University Extension
Agritourism:
- “Liability Issues - What is Happening in Case Law and Legislatively?” Shannon Mirus, staff attorney, National Ag Law Center
- “Risk Management Issues in Agritourism” Ryan Albers, Farm Bureau’s AgMax Insurance
5:00 - 6:30 pmNetworking Break
Networking Break5:00 - 6:30 pm AgMRC/Market Maker Reception
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2009
8:30 amAnnouncements/Opening Comments
Announcements/Opening Comments8:45 - 9:15 amGeneral Session
General Session“From Inside the Beltway”Sara Wyant - AgriPulse
Sara Wyant is President of Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., a strategic communications firm with offices in Washington, D.C. and St. Charles, Illinois. The firm specializes in covering Capitol Hill and providing in-depth coverage of farm and rural policy issues. Her weekly newsletter, Agri-Pulse, provides perspective on a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues that impact farmers and agribusinesses. In addition, she publishes a syndicated column in several newspapers around the country.
9:30 - 10:30 amConcurrent Sessions
Concurrent SessionsLocal/Regional Food Systems
“Equipment and Technology Needs for Small and Mid-sized Farmers Emerging for the Local Market" Steve Faivre, Retired, Advanced Marketing Innovation Manager at John Deere
Value Added Business Development:
“Evaluating the Economic Impact of Rural Development Projects” Mike Miessen, Vice President, Iowa Area Development Group, Des Moines, Iowa
Agritourism:
“What Factors Lead to the Development of the Agritourism Enterprise? Identifying the Opportunities and the Challenges” Malinda Geisler, Growing Family Fun, Geisler Farms, Bondurant, Iowa and Justina Boggio, Boggio’s Orchard and Produce, Granville, Ill.
10:30 - 11:00 amNetworking Break
Networking Break11:00 am - NoonConcurrent Sessions
Concurrent SessionsLocal/Regional Food Systems
“Good Answers Come from Good Questions: Management Planning Starting with Questions” Matt Russell, State Food Policy Coordinator, Drake University Law Center
Value Added Business Development:
“Identifying the Market for Midwest Wine” Paul Tabor, Tabor Home Vineyard & Winery, Baldwin, Iowa
Agritourism:
- “Measuring the Economic Impact of Agritourism - USDACensus, Agriculture and State Studies” National Ag Statistics Service Iowa Director
- “Agritourism and the Economic Impact on the Region” Margo McInnis, Director of Sales, Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
Noon - 1:00 pmLunch
Lunch1:00 - 1:30 pmNetworking Break
Networking Break1:30 - 2:45 pmGeneral Session
General Session“The Art of Rural Development” Dave Dahlquist, RDGPlanning & Design
David B. Dahlquist is a nationally recognized public artist and design consultant. Since 1988, he has completed more than 30 large-scale public commissions across the country. In 1994, Dahlquist established Dahlquist Clayworks Inc., which in 2004 became part of RDG Planning & Design. Dahlquist now leads the RDG DahlquistStudio, which is a comprehensive design and fabrication studio with a staff of eight professional artists. Commissions for private, institutional and public clients range from tilework and sculpture to major architectural installations.
“Market Maker Arts and Crafts Prototype for Georgia”
Paul Schuytema, University of Illinois
2:45 - 3:00 pmNetworking Break
Networking Break3:00 - 4:00 pm “Wrap-Up Session” Michael Perry
Michael Perry is a humorist and author of the bestselling memoirs Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time and Truck: A Love Story, the essay collection Off Main Street, and the upcoming memoir Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs and Parenting. Perry has written for Esquire, The New York Times Magazine, Outside, Backpacker, Orion and Salon.com, and is a contributing editor to Men’s Health. His essays have been heard on NPR’s All Things Considered and he has performed and produced two live audience recordings (I Got It From the Cows and Never Stand Behind a Sneezing Cow). Perry lives in rural Wisconsin, where he remains active with the local volunteer rescue service. He can be found online at www.sneezingcow.com.
4:00 - 4:30 pmClosing Comments/Wrap Up
Closing Comments/Wrap Up5:00 pm Depart for Dinner & Entertainment on the Celebration Belle
