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RELEASES
CONFERENCE
TO EXPLORE RURAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
October
8, 2002 — The
speakers have been confirmed and registrations are coming
in for a conference in Brandon this month on the viability
and sustainability of agriculture and communities in western
Canada. "Revitalizing Rural Communities through a Commitment
to Farm and Rural Enterprises", scheduled for October
29 and 30 at the Royal Oak Inn, will bring together producers
and industry in working groups and panel discussions to explore
agricultural and rural development in Manitoba.
The event
is the third conference organized by the Agriculture Renewal
Alliance, and this year includes collaboration with the Manitoba
Roundtable for Sustainable Development. Last year's conference
drew over 200 people, so early registration is recommended.
Conference
organizer Dr. Rene Van Acker of the University of Manitoba
says participants will be treated to diverse perspectives
by international and national speakers.
"We
are really looking forward to this year's conference. The
speakers we have lined up are considered some of the most
progressive agricultural thinkers in North America. We are
especially pleased to have Dr. John Ikerd from University
of Missouri return this year to speak about revitalizing rural
communities," said Van Acker.
Other
featured speakers include Fred Kirschenmann, Director of the
Leopold Centre in Iowa, and Mark Ritchie, President of the
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minneapolis.
The two-day event will also include Manitoba success stories,
workshops and a debate session.
The conference
is organized by representatives from the University of Manitoba,
Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba Agriculture and
Food, Farmers' Independent Weekly, Manitoba Institute of Agrologists,
Manitoba Heritage Habitat Corporation, and the Canadian Wheat
Board. Major financial support is provided by the Manitoba
Rural Adaptation Council and The Government of Manitoba Roundtable
for Sustainable Development.
Visit
the Agriculture
Renewal Alliance website for more information about
this year's conference.
For
more information call:
Dr.
Rene Van Acker
Department of Plant Science
Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
University of Manitoba
(204) 474-6080
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