Kentucky Commodity Conference to Focus on “Vision” and “Hope”

Eastwood, KY – The 2010 Kentucky Commodity Conference is scheduled for Friday, January 22, at
the Holiday Inn University Plaza in Bowling Green, Ky. This one-day conference begins with registration at 11:30 a.m. CST.

First on the agenda are a luncheon and a keynote address by third generation, Montana logger Bruce Vincent. His presentation, titled “With Vision, there is Hope,” focuses on how agriculture should have a new vision of conservation and environmental stewardship that is based on hope instead of fear.

“In order to share this vision we must first reintroduce the American consumer to the people and the processes of food production and have a line item in our business plan to engage the discussion over our environment,” says Vincent. “Farmers work at the ground level in implementing society’s framework for protecting the environment. This leading edge position provides challenges and, if we focus on leading and not just fighting, exciting opportunities and hope for the next generation of agriculture in America.”

Following the keynote address, grower members and guests are encouraged to attend the Annual Meetings of the Kentucky Soybean, Kentucky Corn Growers, and Kentucky Small Grain Growers Associations. These meetings will be followed by a special Marketing Session featuring Jim Bower, senior market analyst for AgDay Television and owner of Bower Trading, Inc., and, Cory Walters, assistant extension professor with the University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics.

The evening will conclude with a Grower Appreciation Reception and Awards Banquet. Winners of the 2009 Kentucky Corn, Wheat and Soybean Extension Yield Contests will be recognized.

“The Kentucky Commodity Conference is always a good time to connect with other leaders in our industry, but also to learn more about upcoming issues," said Sam Hancock, a Fulton, Ky. farmer and president of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association. "I look forward to hearing from Bruce Vincent and about his experience in dealing with environmental issues, government, and emotionally-driven groups. I suspect he will have a lot of valuable insights for Kentucky growers."

The Kentucky Commodity Conference is organized by the Kentucky Corn Growers, Kentucky Small Grain Growers, and Kentucky Soybean Associations, and is supported by several generous agricultural corporations: Kentucky Soybean Board, Pioneer, Monsanto, Whayne Supply Co., DuPont, Syngenta, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, H&R Agri-Power, Opti-Crop, Channel, and Agri-Chem.

Registration information can be found on any of the hosting association’s web sites: www.kycorn.org, www.kysmallgrains.org, and www.kysoy.org, or interested parties may call 800-BEAN-SOY or 800-326-0906. The registration deadline is January 7, 2010.

###

Media Contacts:

Jennifer Elwell, KyCGA & KySGGA – 502-921-2625, Jennifer@kycorn.org
Jaime Vincent, KSA - 270-365-7214, jvincent@kysoy.org

Questions? Call 800-326-0906 or email info@kysmallgrains.org.