1:00 PM Welcome
1:10 - 2:20 Session 1
How will agricultural policy affect Ohio's farming futures?
Mr. David Drake, Acting State Executive Director, Ohio Farm Service Agency, USDA
Mr. Chris Henney, Director of Legislative Relations, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
Ms. Sylvia Zimmerman, President, Innovative Farmers of Ohio Board of Directors
Moderator - Dr. Howard Sacks, Provost, Director of Rural Life Center, NEH Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Kenyon College
How can we preserve soil for future generations?
Mr. Matt Deaton, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Soil Scientist
Mr. Larry Frimerman, Executive Director, Three Valley Conservation Trust
Dr. Jerry Glover, Agroecologist, Director of Graduate Research Fellowships, The Land Institute
Moderator - Dr. Casey W. Hoy, Kellogg Endowed Chair in Agricultural Ecosystem
Management, The Ohio State University
2:20 - 2:35 Break
An opportunity to speak with others at the conference, enjoy refreshments, and view displays from several groups.
2:35 - 3:45 Session 2
How are our neighbors approaching the future of agriculture?
Ms. Jennifer Harte, Future of Farming Coordinator, Washington State
Mr. Matt Harrod, Assistant Director, Policy and Research, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Mr. Michael Judge, Director of Operations, Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy, Kentucky
Ms. Wilda Nilsestuen, Executive Director, Council of Rural Initiatives, Wisconsin
Moderator - Dr. Howard Sacks, Provost, Director of Rural Life Center, NEH Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Kenyon College
What do future farmers need to know?
Mr. Caleb Alexander, New Century Farmer program participant, 2007 National Star in Agribusiness, 4th generation farmer
Dr. Molly Bean Smith, Research Associate, The Social Responsibility Initiative, The Ohio State University
Ms. Mary Bridgman, Wisdom in the Land program participant, farmer
Moderator - Sharon D. Sachs, PhD, Manager of
Wisdom in the Land, Ohio's 2006-2008 pilot program for beginning farmers delivered by Innovative Farmers of Ohio and funded by USDA North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).
3:50 - 4:45 Plenary discussion
How does the future of energy supplies and prices affect our agricultural system?
Ms. Amélie Davis, Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Candidate, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
Mr. Ralph Dull, on-farm Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation Visitors Center, Montgomery County, Ohio
Mr. Greg Hargett, Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture
Moderator - Dr. Casey W. Hoy, Kellogg Endowed Chair in Agricultural Ecosystem Management, The Ohio State University
4:50 PM Closing
5 - 7 PM Open discussion
An opportunity for those attendees who would like to continue conversations and plan future collaborations. Dinner is provided at Marcum Conference Center.