            
|
- Fall 1996 "Update" Newsletter Article -
Annual agribusiness conference set
From CATI Publication #961001
Copyright © 1996. All rights reserved.
A high-profile optimist on the future of U.S. agriculture will be among the experts addressing issues facing California agriculture at this year's Agribusiness Management Conference set for Nov. 13 in Fresno, California.
The 15th annual event will explore agricultural issues and offer economic forecasts for 1997. It also will feature a keynote address by an international consultant who is not afraid to tout the benefits of pesticides. Dennis Avery, author of a new book called "Saving the Planet with Pesticides and Plastics," spent a decade as a senior agricultural analyst for the U.S. State Department and also has done policy analysis for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He currently serves as a research associate for the Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues, based in Churchville, Virginia.
Not one to shy away from controversy, Avery supports continuing high-yield farming, including pesticide use, listing among the benefits "the cancers NOT caused because we chemically suppressed the molds and toxins and offered ample supplies of low- cost chemically-grown fruits and vegetables."
In the conference's opening address, Avery will share his outlook in a talk entitled "The Brightest Prospect in American Farming History."
Also on the agenda are two more national-level speakers. The first will be Joseph Glauber, deputy chief economist for the USDA, who will speak on "Freedom to Farm: What Does It Mean for California Agriculture?" Then following the luncheon will be Lowell Catlett, a professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness at New Mexico State University, who will address the "Hyper-Cyber Economy" by exploring technology and the future of agriculture.
Among the afternoon discussions will be a panel analysis of the latest developments in water use regulations, specifically the CALFED Bay Delta Process. Sitting on the panel will be state Senator Jim Costa, along with Tim Quinn, deputy general manager of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District; and Daniel Nelson, executive director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.
Other panels will offer California outlooks for an assortment of crops and commodities, including cotton, grapes, tree fruit, tomatoes, beef, dairy forage crops and cereal grains.
Cosponsors of this year's conference are California State University, Fresno's Center for Agricultural Business, the California Agricultural Technology Institute, and Bank of America Fresno Commercial Banking.
{ page top }
{ CATI , CAB , CAB - Current Projects , CAB - "Update" Newsletter , "Update" Newsletter - 1996 }
Copyright © 2000. All rights reserved.
CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE - CATI
College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
California State University, Fresno
