18th Annual Soil and Water Education Conference at ASU Wednesday
by January 26, 2016 10:45 am 118 views
Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward is the luncheon speaker for Arkansas State University’s 18th annual Soil and Water Education Conference and Arkansas Irrigation Expo on Wednesday (Jan. 27), at the ASU Convocation Center.
Ward is one of several speakers on the program who will address the latest issues and trends in soil and water conservation. With the addition of the Arkansas Irrigation Expo this year, the conference will include a trade show with vendors and displays.
“The conference serves the Mid-South region by providing outreach information/education offerings to the public, crop producers, ranchers, educators and agribusiness professionals, and, of course, our students,” said Dr. Tim Burcham, dean of the College of Agriculture and Technology. “The conference planning committee secured a wonderful group of nationally recognized speakers for this year’s event.”
Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by two morning sessions, with a mid-morning break included. The luncheon program also will include an announcement of this year’s recipient of the ‘Outstanding Conservation Award.” A third session will follow the luncheon, and should adjourn at 3 p.m.
“Many of the presentations will feature producers who have implemented a particular conservation practice alongside the soil-water professional that assisted them with their particular project,” Burcham added. “There is no substitute for producers hearing from other producers when it comes to implementation of new and/or innovative conservation practices. I believe this perspective has played a major role in the continued growth and relevance of this conference.”
Ward, a Lake City native, earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Arkansas State and L.L.M. in agriculture and food law from the University of Arkansas. He also served as a captain and civil affairs officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves before being appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to serve as secretary of agriculture.
This program is supported in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, and the Arkansas Water Resources Center.
Registration for the day-long conference, including lunch, is $40. Certified Crop Adviser Soil and Water Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be awarded to those who attend. Link here for registration and other info about the event.