PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
February 27, 2006 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Registrations for the 18th annual Governor's Ag Conference are still being accepted by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). The conference will be held March 8-9 at the Holiday Inn in Kearney, Nebraska. Those interested in attending this special event should call NDA at 800-831-0550.

Conference information and the schedule can be found on the NDA web site at www.agr.ne.gov.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Tom Dorr will deliver the keynote address during the luncheon on Thursday. Other nationally-recognized speakers include:

• National agriculture policy analyst, Jim Wiesemeyer, with Informa Economics, Inc.;
• Crop insurance specialist, Stephen Frerichs, with AgVantage, LLC;
• Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Conservation Districts, Krysta Harden;
• Senior Agricultural Economist, Dr. Marvin Duncan, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture;
• Founder and President of RFD Communications, Inc., Patrick Gottsch; and
• Director for Agricultural Affairs for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Darci Vetter.

The registration fee of $50 entitles participants to attend the "Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture" reception on Wednesday, March 8, as well as the full day of conference events on Thursday, March 9.

The "Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture" reception registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday with the reception set to begin at 6:00 p.m. A variety of foods produced by Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and Nebraska food companies will be featured at the reception. Motivational speaker Damian Mason will entertain the audience. Farm Credit Services of America is sponsoring the evening's activities.

Thursday morning the conference will begin with registration and a continental breakfast from 7:00-9:00 a.m. The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. with opening remarks from Governor Dave Heineman and NDA Director Greg Ibach.

"This year's conference, ‘Nebraska Agriculture: Charting the Course,' offers a wide variety of learning experiences for those interested in the future success of Nebraska agriculture," said NDA Director Greg Ibach. "The 2007 Farm Bill is currently a common topic of discussion, and many of our featured speakers will provide insight on this subject, while previewing new opportunities and addressing industry trends."