Rural Economic Outlook Conference set for Oct. 21 at OSU

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Insights about trends and expectations regarding agriculture and rural economies will be the focus of the Rural Economic Outlook Conference taking place Oct. 21 on Oklahoma State University’s Stillwater campus.

“We’ll be examining key issues that may significantly affect decisions made by agricultural lenders, community and rural leaders, and people in similar positions during the coming year,” said Damona Doye, OSU Cooperative Extension farm management specialist.

Keynote speakers will include Mike Boehlje, a distinguished professor with Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business. Boehlje will discuss the financial downturn in agriculture and opportunities. He has held faculty and administrative positions at OSU, Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota.

“Mike has devoted his career to helping farm and agribusiness managers and policy makers understand the economic and financial consequences of their decisions,” Doye said.

Also featured as keynote speakers will be Terry Barr, a nationally recognized agricultural economist and senior director for CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division, and OSU agriculture alumnus Brady Sidwell.

“Brady is a former vice president of strategy, mergers and acquisitions at OSI Group, a global leader in supplying value-added protein items and other food products to foodservice and retail brands,” Doye said. “He currently serves as president of Enterprise Grain Company, Sidwell Strategies and Sidwell Seed.”

Cost is $50 if registering prior to Oct. 14 and $70 thereafter or at the door. Registration includes breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks during the conference.

Registration forms are available online at https://secure.touchnet.com/C20271.ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=1884 or by contacting Kareta Casey of the OSU department of agricultural economics at 405-744-9836.

“We ask that participants pre-register if possible,” Doye said. “It greatly aids the planning process and helps ensure that sufficient numbers of meals, refreshments and conference materials are on hand. We want to make the conference as useful and enjoyable as possible to all participants.”

The 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday conference will take place at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, located on Hester Street across from the Student Union.

Additional sessions will provide faculty and research updates in the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, as well as the latest information about agricultural finance topics and grain and livestock markets.

Anyone seeking additional information about the Oct. 21 Rural Economic Outlook Conference at OSU should contact Casey at 405-744-9836.