Future of Farming and Rural Life Forum
UW-Stout, Menomonie * May 23, 2006

Northwest Regional Public Forum: Food Systems
Margaret Krome, Brent McCown, Co-Chairs

AGENDA

Opportunities and Constraints to Expanding Agriculture-Based Markets and Enterprises in Wisconsin

8:15 am Registration

Check-In, Coffee, Browse Exhibit Tables

9:00 am Welcome, Introductions, and Overview

Lemoine Mac Laughlin, Michael Strigel, Tom Lyon, Margaret Krome

9:30 am Keynote: Changing Structure of Agriculture

Fred Kirschenmann, Leopold Center, Iowa State University

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Practitioner Panel: Opportunities and Constraints; Useful Roles of Public Institutions

Tony and Sue Renger, Willow Creek Farms: "Local, Sustainable, and Humane"
Greg Welsh, Organic Valley
Patrick Fitzgibbons, Cargill Co.: "Partners for Progress"
Deana Sexson, Nutrient and Pest Management Program and the WPVGA/WWF
Healthy Grown Potatoes Project: "The Wisconsin Healthy Grown Model for Marketplace Rewards"

12:15 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Breakout I - Food System Opportunities, Constraints, Steps Needed

Facilitated discussion in small groups on participant perspectives on opportunities, constraints, and
necessary steps, especially in their own region.

2:15 pm Breakout II - Links between Food Systems and Other Future of Farming Topics

Each breakout room represents one of the Future of Farming project themes* with facilitated discussion. Participants choose which to attend.

Discussion Focus: How does this topic area influence the opportunities and constraints of food system innovation?

3:15 pm Break

3:30 pm Closing Plenary

Summation of Activities (Unconventional)
Citizen Role in the Future of Farming and Rural Life in Wisconsin
Stan Gruszynski, Future of Farming and Rural Life Co-Chair

4:15 pm Adjourn to Wine and Cheese Reception (Mabel Tainter Theatre)

*Production Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation, Agriculture Policy, Food Systems, Social, Economic and Cultural Aspects of Rural Life