News Advisory: Global Farmer-To-Farmer Roundtable Epitomizes Borlaug Call to “Take it to the Farmer”
Blog — By Truth About Trade & Technology Editor on September 20, 2010 6:39 pm
News Advisory
Sept. 20, 2010
Contact: Mary Boote, Executive Director
Phone: 515-274-0800 or 515-240-4545 or MBoote@TruthAboutTrade.org
Global Farmer-To-Farmer Roundtable Epitomizes Borlaug Call to “Take it to the Farmer”
Fifth annual event, Oct. 12-13, coincides with 2010 Borlaug Dialogue
Des Moines, IA – Approximately 18 farmers from around the world will gather in Des Moines Oct. 12-13 for the fifth annual Global Farmer-to-Farmer Roundtable. The Roundtable is organized by Truth About Trade and Technology (TATT), and is supported by the Council for Biotechnology Information, CropLife International, and the National Corn Growers Association. The event will coincide with the 2010 Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium, held Oct. 13-15 in Des Moines.
“The global roundtable is our effort to keep farmers at the heart of the solution for food security,” says Dean Kleckner, the Iowa farmer who is chairman of TATT. “As world population grows, we simply must produce more food.” Kleckner says the Roundtable gives farmers a chance to share ideas on how they might accomplish that in an environmentally sustainable way while also addressing political pressures.
The Roundtable complements the Borlaug Dialogue, which gathers the top minds and foremost leaders in global agriculture, food and development. This year there is a special focus on the world’s small-scale farmers.
The international farmers at the Roundtable represent a variety of farm sizes and commodities, but they find a common bond in the basics of agricultural production. That bond, and the use of social media and the Internet keep them connected as they continue to provide support to each other long after the meeting in Des Moines ends.
Also at the Roundtable, the TATT board will present the 2010 Kleckner Trade & Technology Advancement Award. The award recognizes a farmer for “exemplary leadership, vision and resolve in advancing the rights of all farmers to choose the technology and tools that will improve the quality, quantity and availability of agricultural products around the world.” Previous winners include Rosalie Ellasus of the Philippines (2007), Jeff Bidstrup, Australia (2008), and Jim McCarthy, Ireland (2009).
Two new events at this year’s Global Farmer-to-Farmer Roundtable are a Global Virtual Town Hall on Oct. 12, and a keynote speaker for the awards luncheon on Oct. 13.
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(Note:Information about the tentative schedule for the Roundtable is on the next page.)
2010 Global Farmer-To-Farmer Roundtable
Tentative Event Schedule
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010
10-11 a.m. – Global Virtual Town Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Topic: A Global Story of Crop Biodiversity Success
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. – Iowa State University Tour
1:30-3:30 p.m. – Farm Tour, Nevada, IA
4:00-6:30 p.m. – Roundtable Opening Session, Des Moines Marriott, Des Moines, IA
Topic: “As a farmer, what tools do you need to increase crop yields on your farm the next 5 – 10 years?”
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010
9 -11:30 a.m. – Roundtable 2nd Session, Des Moines Marriott, Des Moines, IA
11:30 a.m.- 12:45 p.m – Global Farmer Awards Luncheon, Des Moines Marriott
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Robert Paarlberg, The New Politics of Food and Farming
2010 Kleckner Trade & Technology Advancement Award Announcement
Event organized by CropLife International and Truth About Trade and Technology
1-4:30 p.m. – Borlaug Dialogue Opening Ceremony and Sessions, Des Moines Marriott
5-7:30 p.m. – Welcoming Reception in honor of 2010 World Food Prize Laureates
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. – Borlaug Dialogue Presentations and Conversations, Des Moines Marriott, Des Moines, IA
7 – 10 p.m. – World Food Prize Gala Celebration & State Dinner, Iowa Capitol Building
Note: Global Farmer to Farmer Roundtable participant’s formal program adjourns Thursday evening, October 14. Participants can continue to participate in the Borlaug Dialogue through Friday, Oct. 15, as their personal schedules allow.
About TATT and Event Sponsors
Truth About Trade and Technology
Truth About Trade and Technology (www.TruthAboutTrade.org) is committed to promoting free trade and agricultural biotechnology through farmer-led educational initiatives that target public officials, opinion leaders, and the agricultural community.
The Council for Biotechnology Information
The Council for Biotechnology Information communicates science-based information about the benefits and safety of agricultural biotechnology and its contributions to sustainable development. For more information, visit www.whybiotech.com. You can also find us on Twitter @agbiotech and Facebook www.facebook.com/agbiotech
CropLife International
CropLife International is the global federation representing the plant science industry. It supports a network of regional and national associations in 91 countries, and is led by companies such as BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, FMC, Monsanto, Sumitomo and Syngenta. CropLife International promotes the benefits of crop protection and biotechnology products, their importance to sustainable agriculture and food production, and their responsible use through stewardship activities.
National Corn Growers Association
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) represents 35,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state associations and checkoff organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for their members and their industry.
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Tags: Farmer, Oct, rdquo, Roundtable, trade
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