Over 450 attendees are expected at the Holiday Inn, Syracuse/Liverpool on Thursday, January 6th, 2011, for the New York State Agricultural Society’s 179th Annual Agricultural Forum, co-sponsored by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Forum focuses on “Eat Local/Feed the World—Food Production for the Future”.
With unprecedented momentum behind the local food movement in the U.S., how does this relate to global demand for food production in the next few decades? What is in the future for food production? Will it be safe, nutritional and economically produced? With fewer acres of farmland and fewer farmers around the world, who is going to feed the world’s expanding population, and how are they going to do it? What does all of this mean to local farmers here in New York State? Come to the NYS Agricultural Society’s Annual Forum and participate in the discussion of eating local while feeding the world.
Keynote speaker Dr. Robert Thompson is a leading authority on agricultural policy, trade, and international development and speaks throughout the world about international food and agricultural issues. Dr. Kathryn Boor, dean of CALS at Cornell University and former Chair of Cornell’s Food Science Department, will moderate discussions as four distinguished panelists share their thoughts on Eat Local/Feed the World—Food Production for the Future.
Other conference highlights include recognition of Businesses of the Year, Century Farm Families, Agricultural Journalism Awards, FFA Chapter of the Year, Ag Education Award, and the Society’s lifetime of Distinguished Service Citation. All meals, breaks and reception feature New York produced food and beverages, and allow time for networking with exhibitors and attendees. Following the evening banquet, New York State Agriculture Commissioner, Patrick Hooker, will present the State of the State’s Agriculture Address.
Also, on the evening prior to the Forum (Wed. January 6th), the Friends of the Witter Agricultural Museum will hold their annual meeting; Robert Call will show a presentation of the History of MY-T Acres & Call Farms. Following the Witter meeting, CALS and its Alumni Association will host a special faculty and staff panel discussion, “Cornell Cooperative Extension at 100: The Power of Extension– Looking Forward with Reflections on the Past” moderated by Extension Director Helene Dillard.
Source: New York State Agricultural Society
