Diversity, Directions and Dollars 2012, an agricultural forum, will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Ramada Inn Grand Dakota Lodge in Dickinson. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. (MT), followed at 9 by a welcome from Haylie Schipp with the Northern Ag Network.

“This forum features internationally-known speakers on topics affecting agriculture in the western Dakotas and eastern Montana,” says Kurt Froelich, North Dakota State University Extension agent in Stark and Billings counties. “It will provide producers with ideas for improving productivity and decreasing costs while providing high-quality food.”

Hal Weiser, Natural Resources Conservation Service soil specialist, will talk about soil health and the importance of organic matter. To complement the discussion, Ty Eisenbraun, Southwest North Dakota Soil Health Demonstration Project manager, will share observations about the project near Manning. The demonstration project was started in 2008.

The yields of small-grain crops were influenced by many factors during the 2011 growing season. Roger Ashley, Dickinson Research Extension Center agronomist, will discuss “What Happened in 2011? Avoid Repeating Mistakes in 2012.”

Dave Hynek, Mountrail County commissioner and agricultural producer, will discuss the impact of oil in the Stanley area. He will share his experiences as a producer and county commissioner.

Virg Robinson, Pioneer Hi-Bred market analysis manager, will discuss the Market to Market television program. Robinson is in his 35th year of appearing on the Iowa Prairie Public Television Market to Market program.

Consumers are asking more questions these days about where their food comes from and how it is raised but don’t always get their information from credible sources. Troy and Stacy Hadrick, advocates for agriculture, will lead a discussion on “Discovering Your Influential Power.” In this presentation, the Hadricks will share what it means to be an influential person.

Sarah Singla, agricultural engineer from Aveyron, France, will talk about “A New Way of Farming: Teaming With Nature.” Singla took over her grandfather’s farm, which has been direct-seeded since 1980.

“Producers should come away with at least two good ideas they can apply to their farm during the next cropping season and at least one good idea to position their farming operation to take advantage of the changes occurring,” Froelich says.

A registration fee of $15 covers breaks, the noon lunch and materials and is payable at the door.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Dec. 21, 2011