Boozman, Mercier, Fryar, Others to Discuss Agricultural Policy, Food Security Issues

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U.S. Sen. John Boozman

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Feeding a growing universal population with the challenges of climate extremes and expanding urbanization requires agricultural policies to ensure food security around the world.

Several political and food industry leaders will be at the University of Arkansas on Monday, Oct. 12, to speak on current issues regarding global food security.

"Preparing for 21st Century Policy Choices" begins at 5 p.m. in Hembree Auditorium in the Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Building. The discussion focuses on the changing landscape of United States agricultural policy and its effect on global food security issues. The event is sponsored by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science's Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, and the Farm Journal Foundation.

"While agriculture researchers work hard to increase yields, an often overlooked area is how government policies affect trade, food production and distribution, and critical decisions made by industry leaders," said Steve Halbrook, department head of agricultural economics and agribusiness. "With all the economic, population and natural pressures on agriculture, intelligent policy can help lay the groundwork for a globally secure food supply."

Featured presenters include:

• U.S. Sen. John Boozman, "Agricultural and Food Policy - the Art of the Possible"

• Dr. Stephanie Mercier, senior policy and advocacy adviser, Farm Journal Foundation, "Developing a Policy Framework - the Farm Team Experience"

• Dr. Ed Fryar, CEO, Ozark Mountain Poultry, "Adapting Business Strategies to Today's Policy Realities"

  AEAB faculty members will lead discussions on:

• "Filling the Knowledge Gaps - Policy Oriented Research"

• "Preparing Students for Policy Analysis and Industry Leadership"

A question and answer session is also scheduled with Wesley Ward, Arkansas secretary of agriculture; Rodney Baker, executive vice president of Arkansas Farm Bureau; John Paul Pendergrass, director of Innovative Livestock Services Inc. and co-owner of Pendergrass Cattle Company; and Nathan Reed, owner of Reed Farms and winner of the 2015 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award.

The public is invited to attend, but registration is required by Oct. 6. To register, go to the online Global Food Security registration page.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.