DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will be hosting agriculture leaders from across the country in Des Moines from September 12 to the 17 for the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). Northey is currently serving as NASDA President.
The theme for the NASDA annual meeting is “New Technologies, Proud Traditions.” During the meetings NASDA members will be treated to a number of tours and events designed to showcase the key role agriculture has played in Iowa’s history and the ongoing importance of Iowa farmer and agriculture related businesses to the world.
Media are invited to participate in the events listed below. Please contact Dustin Vande Hoef with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at 515-281-3375 or via email at Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov to register to participate.
The full agenda and more information about the meeting can be found at www.iowaagriculture.gov/NASDA2012.asp.
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012
Science Expo focused on New Technologies to improve Water Quality
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Iowa State University BioCentury Research Farm, 1327 U Avenue, Boone
NASDA members will join Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force members to learn more about new science and technologies that are becoming available to farmers to reduce nutrient transport from our farms. A wide variety of private and public sector exhibitors will demonstrate the broad cross-section of new technologies and emerging science that offer promise to reduce nutrient transport to water from cropped lands.
NASDA Welcome Reception
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, 100 Locust Street, Des Moines
The reception will showcase the newly restored Hall of Laureates and include food stations throughout the building highlighting some of Iowa’s finest raised and grown foods.
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012
Reception and Tour of Iowa State Fairgrounds
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines
The Iowa State Fair is an internationally known and acclaimed celebration of agriculture and all things Iowa. NASDA participants will be treated to a reception on the fairgrounds, including foods that reflect the bounty of the Iowa landscape. Tours of the fairgrounds will be available as well as horse drawn wagon rides. Antique tractors will also be on display to celebrate the proud traditions of Iowa agriculture.
Friday, Sept. 14, 2012
Tours Showcasing Iowa Agriculture
12:30 – 6:00 p.m.
NASDA participants have the opportunity to choose between two tours that will showcase Iowa agriculture.
Tour A will visit DuPont Pioneer’s facilities in Johnston, Iowa State University’s BioCentury Research Farm near Boone and Lincolnway Energy in Nevada.
Tour B will JBS in Marshalltown, the National Center for Animal Health in Ames and Lincolnway Energy in Nevada.
Dinner at Couser Cattle Company
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Couser Cattle Company was started in 1977 with 24 cows and today is permitted for 5200 head of finishing fed cattle. The farming operation consists of many acres of seed production for Monsanto, and commercial corn, beans and hay. The Couser’s were awarded the 2011 National Environmental Stewardship Award for their work to help improve environmental standards in the feeding industry. Their new state of the art feedlot includes Alternative Technology Systems and Mono Slope deep bedded cattle barns.
Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012
Tours Showcasing Iowa Agriculture
1:00 – 6:30 p.m.
NASDA participants will visit Kemin Industries, John Deere Des Moines Works and Firestone Farm Tires.
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012
President’s Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Downtown Des Moines Marriott, 700 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Loren Kruse, retiring Editor-in-Chief of Successful Farming magazine, will address NASDA members and NASDA Honor Awards will be presented.
NASDA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association that represents the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. As regulators of significant aspects of our nation’s agriculture industry, NASDA members are actively involved in ensuring the safety of an abundant food supply, protection of animal and plant health, stewardship of our environment, and promoting the vitality of our rural communities.
