FIRST  BUTLER/CUNNINGHAM CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Common Misbeliefs about Alabama Agriculture

November 13, 2002
8:30 – 9:30    Registration and Breakfast Reception

SESSION 1: THE PRESENT AND FUTURE WORLD OF AGRICULTURE

9:30 – 9:40    Welcome and Introductory Remarks, C. E. Boyd, Butler/Cunningham Eminent Scholar, Auburn University

9:40 – 10:00    Butler/Cunningham Legacy, Jack Odle, Progressive Farmer

10:00 – 10:45    Current and Long-Term Outlook for U.S. and Alabama Agriculture, Carol Goodloe, Office of Chief Economist, USDA

10:45-11:15    A Short History of Alabama Agriculture, Wayne Shell, Professor Emeritus, Auburn University

11:15 – 11:40    Who Supports Alabama Agriculture?, John Jensen, Interim Dean and Director, College of Agriculture, Auburn University

11:40 – 12:00    The Public’s Opinion of Agriculture and the Environment  – Results of a State-Wide Opinion Poll, Lavaughn Johnson, Professor Emeritus, Auburn University
	12:00 – 1:00    Lunch (on your own)

SESSION 2: OUR AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE: WHERE HAVE WE BEEN AND WHERE ARE WE GOING?

1:00 – 1:15    Introduction: Where Your Food Dollar Goes, Ronnie Murphy, Deputy Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries

1:15 – 1:45    Historical Trends in Alabama Agriculture, Herb Vanderberry, USDA, Alabama Agricultural Statistician

1:45 – 2:15    How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm, Given the Economic Perspective?, William Hardy, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Auburn University

2:15 – 2:40    Climatological Effects on Alabama Agriculture, John R. Christy, State Climatologist

2:40 – 3:00    Alabama Soils, George Martin, NRCS

3:00 – 3:30    How Does Alabama Agriculture Compare to Other States?, Linda Hutton, Environmental, Economics, and Demographics Branch, USDA

3:30 – 4:00    Break
	SESSION 3: AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: IN HARMONY OR DISPUTE?

4:00 – 4:15    Introductory Remarks, Alabama Farmers Federation  representative

4:15 – 4:30    Perspectives on Agricultural and Environmental Issues, C. E. Boyd

4:30 – 4:50    Views of Environmental Advocacy Groups about Agriculture, Pat Byington, Southern Environmental Center

4:50 – 5:10    Alabama Commission on Environmental Initiatives, Pete Conroy, Environmental Policy & Information Center

5:10 – 5:30    Resource Conservation and Development Program Initiatives, Robert Jones, NRCS

5:30 – 5:50    The Phosphorus Problem in Animal Production, Wes Wood, Professor, Auburn University

6:30    Reception	

November 14, 2002
7:00 – 8:00    Breakfast Reception

SESSION 4: SHOULD WE KEEP THE LAND IN AGRICULTURE?

8:00 – 8:15    Introduction to Current Land Use in Alabama, Walter Hill, Dean, College of Agricultural, Environmental, & Natural Sciences, Tuskegee University

8:15 – 9:00    How to Keep the Land in Agriculture if that is Your Goal, Larry Libby, Ohio State University

9:00 – 9:20    Legislative Issues and Taxation, Richard Lindsey, State Representative

9:20 – 9:40    Farmer’s Perspective on Land Use in the Rural-Urban Interface, Steve Tate, Tate Farms
	9:40 – 10:00     Water Quality Permits and Land Use in Alabama, Richard Hulcher, Mining and Non-Point Source Section, ADEM

10:00 – 10:30    Break

SESSION 5: HOW ARE CHANGES IN AGRICULTURE AFFECTING RURAL COMMUNITIES?

10:30 – 10:45    Status of Agribusiness in Alabama, Cecil Medders, Alabama Power

10:45 – 11:15    The Changing Structure of Agriculture: How Do We Deal with Mergers, Acquisitions, and Takeovers, C. Robert Taylor, ALFA Eminent Scholar, Auburn University

11:15 – 11:30    Issues Related to Credit for Agriculture, Spencer Swan, Federal Land Bank Association
	11:30 – 12:15    Effects of a Changing Agriculture on Rural Communities, William Heffernan, University of Missouri

12:30 – 2:00    Lunch with speaker, Ed Dickinson, Former publisher, Progressive Farmer

SESSION 6: WRAP-UP: WHERE TO FROM HERE?

2:00 – 2:15    Introduction, McArthur Floyd, School of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University

2:15 – 2:45    Panel Discussion

2:45 – 3:30    Question and Answer

3:30    Adjourn

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REGISTRATION FORM
FIRST  BUTLER/CUNNINGHAM CONFERENCE ON AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
November 13 –14, 2002, Birmingham Marriott
3590 Grandview, Birmingham, Alabama
Please use a separate form for each registrant.			

Name: _________________________________________________

Company Name: _________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

City: __________________    State: ________     Zip: ___________                

Phone: __________________             Fax: ____________________

Email: _________________________________________________

*Registration Fee (Please check one);
_____Fee before October 15, 2002: $95
_____Fee after October 15, 2002: $135

*Fee includes 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 evening reception, and refreshments at all breaks
	Make check payable to:  Auburn University

Please detach and return this form along with registration fee to:

June Burns
Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures
Swingle Hall
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact June Burns or Claude E. Boyd at the above address, at phone number (334) 844-4078, or by e-mail at ceboyd@acesag.auburn.edu.  Please see our website:  www.ag.auburn.edu/BC

Please make room reservations directly with the hotel (1-888-426-5171; refer to Auburn University conference).   Room rate is $116.