Fresno Conference is Oct. 31
Leading Economist To Address
Agribusiness Management Conference
Top
economists will join with academic and business experts to discuss the economic
outlook, global trade agreements, California’s water supply, immigration policy
reform and other key issues at the 32nd Annual Agribusiness Management Conference
to be held October 31, in Fresno.
Sponsored
by Fresno State’s Center for Agricultural Business (CAB), Bank of America,
Wells Fargo and the Zenith Insurance Company, the event will occur in
partnership with supporting farm businesses, agencies and organizations. It
will be held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center downtown.
“Our
markets are subject to the trends in the general economy and the global economy
as well,” according to CAB Director Dr.
Mechel Paggi. “The conference will feature expert speakers who will address
these issues, and participants will be provided with supporting information and
outlooks on specific commodities.”
Paggi
will open the half-day event with an 8:00 a.m. The official greeting will be by
the new President of Fresno State, Dr.
Joseph Castro.
Following
the opening remarks, at 8:15 a.m. Terry
Barr, chief economist for CoBank, a national cooperative bank that is part
of the farm credit system, will offer insights on upcoming economic challenges
and opportunities in an address titled “Economic Outlook: Traversing the
Minefield.”
Adding
to the economic outlook will be a presentation by John Wainio, economist with the USDA Economic Research Service, who
will discuss new developments in the global trade outlook in his presentation,
“New Trade Agreements: Prospects for California Agriculture.”
Following
a break, a panel will address the future of California’s water supply.
Panelists include Ronald Jacobsma,
general manager, Friant Water Authority; Jim
Beck, Kern County Water Agency; and Thomas
Birmingham, general manager, Westlands Water District. The panel will be
moderated by David Zoldoske, Ph.D.,
Director of the Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State.
Wrapping
up the morning sessions will be a discussion of the current state of
immigration reform policy and its importance to California and the Central
Valley. Offering a perspective on the progress in federal legislation will be Monte Lake, of CJ Lake, LLC. Mr. Lake
is a prominent Washington, DC lawyer who has provided counsel on labor and
other issues facing agricultural interests in California for more than 30
years.
Following
Lake, Craig Reglbrugge, co-chair of
the Agricultural Coalition for Immigration Reform, will discuss the group’s
view on prospective changes to existing policies. The panel will wrap up with
remarks from Fresno County Sheriff, Margret
Mims, who will speak on the importance of immigration reform from the
perspective of law enforcement community.
To
conclude the event, Beacon Economics’ Jock
O’Connell, one of California’s foremost authorities on world trade, global
economic trends, and the internationalization of the Golden State’s economy,
will offer his insights on the future in his presentation, “Imagining
California in 2023: Economic Issues and Outlook.”
The
conference is designed for farmers, farm managers, attorneys, appraisers,
insurance personnel, processors, accountants, and others involved in
California’s agribusiness industry.
Early
registration fee is $100. Late or walk-in is $125. For more information, call 559.278.4405 or visit the
CAB website at www.csufcab.com.
Labels: AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 2013, Fresno Conference is Oct. 31, Leading Economist to address Conference
