AMES, Iowa --- The Beginning Farmer Network (BFN), an organization made up of Iowa State University students interested in entering farming, is sponsoring the Beginning Farmers Conference on Feb. 6, at the Memorial Union, Iowa State University, Ames. The conference will feature keynote speakers Craig Lang, Iowa Farm Bureau Association president and Paul Lasley, Iowa State University Extension sociologist and department chair.

“This year’s conference is very future looking with speakers that will talk about what’s up and coming in agriculture,” said Dan Gradert, BFN member and a conference organizer. “The conference will bring people entering farming -- students and people with only a few years of farming experience -- together with experienced farmers and agencies that serve as resources for beginning farmers.”

Three sets of one-hour breakout sessions will cover topics ranging from value added ag and livestock in the future, to farm succession and expanding or maintaining farm operations. Session speakers from the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Agriculture Development Authority, Farm Service Agency, Beginning Farmers Center, Center for Agriculture Law and Taxation, and the Chair of Iowa Ag Committee are on the agenda.

“The conference sets the stage to network with other individuals who are at the same stage of farming and those with more experience, and introduces beginning farmers to people in agencies that they potentially will work with in the future,” Gradert said.

Online registration is available at www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/beginningfarmer/home.html . Registration also can be made by calling (515) 294-6222. T registration fee is $35 prior to Feb. 1; $45 after that date. Registration includes all conference materials, lunch and networking breaks.

A complete agenda for the conference can be viewed at http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/beginningfarmer/schedule.html

-30-