--- E. Anne Larson, Communications Specialist Leopold Center, 126 Soil Tilth, ISU (515) 294-0626 ealarson@iastate.edu
Consumer's Role in Agriculture Explored Aug. 4
AMES, IOWA -- The consumer's stake in the changing shape of agriculture will be explored at the Thursday, Aug. 4 conference "Sustainable Agriculture: People, Products, and Profits" sponsored by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the Scheman Continuing Education Building, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Conference participants will learn about the consumer's role in agriculture, how industrialization is restructuring food production, and who stands to profit from agriculture now and in the future. Featured keynote speakers include Amy Barr, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute; Neil Hamilton, director of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University; and Bill Heffernan, department chair and professor of rural sociology at the University of Missouri--Columbia.
The conference will also feature the first ever Leopold Center "listening post" where attendees can voice their views on how they would focus the Center's resources to address their sustainable agriculture concerns and interests. Leopold Center advisory board members and staff will be taking note of input gathered at this session in shaping future Center goals.
Afternoon concurrent sessions feature: * a panel discussion on how Iowa farms and rural communities are likely change, * ISU rural sociologist Paul Lasley speaking on whether the "family" farm still exists, * a panel discussion on how agriculture might become more responsive to consumer needs, and * field tours of the ISU Swine Nutrition and Management Research Center, rural Ames; and a multi-species streamside restoration project using tree, shrub, and grass buffer strips.
Complete registration materials and further information is available by contacting the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, 126 Soil Tilth Bldg., Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3120; phone (515) 294- 3711; Internet address leocenter@iastate.edu. Registration fee is $25 with or $15 without lunch; after July 29 the fees are raised $5.00.