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Ag conference to discuss getting next generation into agriculture

Agriculture needs to do a better job of recruiting the next generation, according to Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts.  That, he says, is one of the highlighted subjects of his inaugural Agriculture Conference March 4-5.

“As I’m sure many people know, the average of a producer here in the state is 56,” said Governor Ricketts, in a statement provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).  “We have more people over the age of 65 than we do have people under the age of 45 in the industry, and so we want to make sure that we’re doing all we can to get young people into the industry.”

In addition, the event, to be held in Kearney, Nebraska, will include discussion on international trade, expansion of value-added agriculture, and federal regulatory and policy issues that have an impact on Nebraska farmers.

Among the speakers are Washington, D.C. policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer with Informa Economics; and global policy analyst Mike Dwyer with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Also speaking are John Heck, the senior vice president of The Scoular Company and Randy Thelen, the senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

Wiesemeyer will cover federal policy issues impacting agriculture, while Dwyer will give an overview of emerging markets for Nebraska exports.

Heck and Thelen will discuss a recent effort by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce to study ways to build value-added agriculture opportunities in Omaha.

“The Chamber has taken a serious look at this issue and developed a strategic plan to implement the findings of the value-added study,” Governor Ricketts said. “They recognize that such growth helps all of Nebraska be successful, and I am excited they have chosen the Ag Conference to introduce this plan to the public.”

“It is an exciting time to be involved in the agriculture industry,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, quoted in a news release.  “The conference is a great way to come together as an industry and gain insight into what we might expect in the future and the challenges we will have to meet along the way.”

Other activities will include the “Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture” reception. The reception begins at 6:00 p.m. March 4, featuring a wide variety of Nebraska food products, and entertainment by Jolene Brown.

A $100 registration fee covers participation at activities on both Wednesday and Thursday. Registration and additional information is available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov, or by calling NDA toll-free at (800) 831-0550.

AUDIO: Governor Pete Ricketts (4 min. MP3)