Purdue News
Purdue News
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May 25, 2004 National value-added agriculture conference tells it as it isWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - This year, farmers who've tried their hand at value-added agriculture will join speakers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and several universities to give a "Report from the Trenches" at the National Value-Added Agriculture Conference in Peoria, Ill. The conference is slated for June 17-18 at the Holiday Inn City Center. Early bird registration ends June 1. Jerry Nelson, the New Ventures Extension educator for Purdue, said the conference gives producers a chance to hear their peers speak about what works and what doesn't. They'll also be able to gather information about other value-added products and learn what's coming down the pipeline. "Farmers and consultants will talk about the highs and lows of value-added agriculture," he said. "They'll also talk frankly about the hassles, headaches and bumps in the road in the value-added process." The Purdue Extension New Ventures team is a co-sponsor of the event. The conference boasts several guest speakers. Peter Johnsen, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Center for Agricultural Utilization, and Tim Ryan, the USDA's acting deputy undersecretary for rural development, will speak about the privatization of government research and the state of value-added agriculture at the USDA. In addition, Arlen Leholm, director of the University of Wisconsin Extension System, will discuss ways that university and Extension staff can support agricultural entrepreneurship. "This is also a chance to meet with other producers of value-added products and services and learn what's going on in other states," Nelson said. Early bird registration is $125 per person. After June 1 the fee increases to $150. Registrations will be accepted at the conference. To register, contact Mary Holms at Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle/Seal 203, Macomb, IL 61455. Holms is also available via phone, (309) 298-2674, or e-mail, Holms@wiu.edu. Participants are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Contact the Holiday Inn City Centre at (309) 674-2500. Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu Source: Jerry Nelson, (812) 886-9582, jnelson@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-8396; Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722forbes@purdue.edu
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