January 20, 2009

Lansing, Mich. - Focusing on four key themes - People, Planet, Power, and Prosperity - the 2009 Agriculture’s Conference on the Environment (ACE) will offer attendees a global update on current farm trends. The conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Lansing Center in Lansing.

Throughout the conference, a total of 25 speakers in a dozen concurrent workshops will explore topics central to agricultural sustainability, including the bioeconomy, climate change, water use, wind and other alternative energy sources, conservation programs and techniques, animal welfare and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).

The conference promises something for everyone, while highlighting the impact farms have on the community and will offer attendees several ways to learn how to achieve and keep prosperity alive on farms, in order to uphold the general public’s prosperity as well.

Dr. Chris Peterson, Director of the Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center and professor of agricultural, food and resource economics, will lead the opening session. “Putting Prosperity, People and Planet into Perspective,” he will highlight the conference theme on the three pillars of sustainability; achieving economic success for individual farms, preserving the environment, and educating the community about agricultural production.

Additionally, a panel of farmers will explain how environmental verification through the MAEAP can improve farmers’ bottom lines while ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. Ron McCormick of Wal-Mart will also discuss farm prosperity as Wal-Mart seeks to offer its customers more locally-grown products.

For information and to register visit www.maeap.org/ACE ; or phone in your registration with credit card payments to Pat Hines, 517-241-4063. Registration is $50 ($75 at the door); students may register for $20.