4th Rural Issues-Community Leadership Conference

4^th Rural Issues - Community Leadership Conference

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

“Agriculture Production & Processing - Help Make It Happen!”

A special one-day educational opportunity for municipal officials, farmers, economic developers, and planners. (Eligible for Local Board Training Credit).  Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer, NY.  Registration 8:00 – 9:00am; Conference 9:00am-3:45pm.  The cost is $35.00 by March 1, 2013; $45.00 afterwards and at the door.  Lunch and mid-day refreshments included.  Regional food tastings in the Gallery.

Keynote Speaker:  David Cole - “The Explosion of the Dairy Value Added Products Industry –

Impacts and Opportunities.” David Cole is a consultant, formerly Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation and CEO of the Eastern Maine Development Corporation; author of “The Rise of the Greek Yogurt Industry in Central New York” - September 2012.

Plenary Sessions:

Food Hubs – A Fad That Should Not Fade: Panel discussion with Jim Barham, USDA; Pat Hooker, ESD; and Becca Jablonski, PhD Candidate, Cornell University; Beth McKellips, moderator.

Farm Brewery Legislature Opens Doors to Central NY Hops Production: Panel discussion with Steve Miller, NYS Hops Specialist; Dave Katleski, Owner of Empire Brewing; and Rick Pedersen, Hop Grower, Pedersen Farms, Inc; Bernie Armata, moderator.

How Your Community can Benefit from Cleaner Greener Grants Program: David Weeks and Bob Singer, Ecology & Environment, Inc., Mohawk Valley Regional Sustainability Plan; David Cox, moderator.

Utilizing Renewable Resources through Municipal Examples: Panel discussion with Charlie Niebling, New England Wood Pellets; Myron Thurston, Supervisor, Town of Vernon, Oneida County; and Gary Ramsey, Enchanted Forest Water Sarfari, Old Forge; Marty Broccoli, moderator.

This program is produced by the Central NY Ag Council (CNYAC), known formerly as the Mohawk Valley - Leatherstocking Agricultural Region (MVLAR).  To register, mail in the attached registration form to address provided, or email the Center for Agricultural Development & Entrepreneurship (CADE) at info@cadefarms.org.  Thank you!