Urban-Ag Academy Conference 2018
July 18-20, 2018
The Radisson Hotel Ames and Conference Center at ISU
2609 University Blvd.
Ames, Iowa
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2018
6:00 p.m. Welcome, Dinner and Program
The Changing Face of Agriculture, presented by George Washington Carver Summer research interns
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 2018
7:45 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. The Challenges of Urban Farming Panel Discussion
- Gary Taylor, Director, Community and Economic Development, ISU Extension and Outreach
- Angela Shaw, Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University
- Jason Grimm, Food Systems Director, Iowa Valley RC&D
9:30 - 10:45 a.m. Disaster Preparedness & Hazard Mitigation through State Legislative Action
Dr. John Cooper, Jr, Assistant Vice President Public Partnership & Outreach at Texas A&M University and Associate Professor of Practice in the College of Architecture
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. Break
11:00 – 11:45 p.m. US Weather Outlook & 50 Years of US Climate Policy
Elwynn Taylor, Professor of Ag Meteorology, Iowa State University
Storm Warnings, Weather Observations, and Affirmative Climate Action: Presidents Washington and Jefferson were personally involved in the keeping of weather observations and records. Forecasting of adverse weather is foremost, knowledge of climate is essential, management of human climatic impact is obligatory. Obligatory in the sense that it is in good conscience necessary and that it is increasingly a legal requirement (beginning in the US on 8 Feb 1965.)
Noon – 12:15 p.m. Travel to Monsanto Facility, Huxley, Iowa
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch at Monsanto Facility
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Discover Monsanto at The Huxley Learning Center Tour
Interactive tour explores complexities of how farmers plant their crops, use equipment and optimize data to make more informed decisions. Includes trolly ride tour through 60 aces of in-field demonstrations, showcasing the latest innovations in precision planting technologies, breeding, biotechnology and agronomic systems. (Closed toe shoes required)
4:15 p.m. Bus departs for Summit Farms
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner at home of Bruce Rastetter, Summit Farms
7:00 - 7:45 p.m. Bus departs for return to Radisson Hotel
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018
7:45 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
8:30 AM - 9:15 a.m. Farm Bill outlook and potential impact on Iowa
Chad Hart, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics Extension, Iowa State University
9:15 AM - 10:00 a.m. Our food system: The Good the Bad and the Future
Ruth MacDonald, Interim Senior Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Nutrient Reduction in the Mississippi River Basin: Opportunities and Challenges
Matt Helmers, ISU Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
11:15 - 12:00 p.m. Gene Editing – A revolutionary innovation: Regulatory updates and Communication with Policy makers and Consumers
Dr. Adrianne Massey, BIO in Washington, DC
Dr. Kevin Diehl, Corteva (formerly DuPont Pioneer)
12:15 p.m. Lunch and Wrap up discussion