Late Registration Fee Waived for WSU Outlook Conference

PULLMAN, Wash. – The late registration fee for the first annual Washington State University Economic Issues and Outlook Conference, scheduled Dec. 6-7 at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco, has been waived. Registration is $125.The Red Lion is located 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco.

Nineteen WSU faculty, government and agriculture industry speakers will discuss a broad range of topics, including marketing and trade in the Pacific Northwest, bioenergy, agricultural issues and outlook for wheat, transportation, the economics of health, the farm bill and crop insurance.

Scheduled speakers include the following:

Mechel Paggi, director of the Center for Agricultural Business at California State University, Fresno will discuss the upcoming farm bill and its impact on specialty crop growers.

Des O’Rourke, an expert in agricultural marketing and a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, will discuss “Can the Fruit Bonanza Continue?” and provide an outlook on pear, apple and cherry markets.

Tom Marsh, associate professor of economics at WSU, will talk about the impact of international wheat markets and the 2008 outlook for wheat growers.

Richard Shumway, professor of economics at WSU, will discuss dairy farm growth.

Registration for both days is $125, which includes meals. For further details and to register, visit http://www.ses.wsu.edu/SES_Events/AnnualConf07/main.htm or call Laci Graciano at (509) 335- 2927. The Web site includes links to a session schedule, speaker highlights and abstracts of some presentations.

The conference is being sponsored in part by the Washington Wheat Commission, the Washington Potato Commission, the Pear Bureau Northwest, Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards and Winery, Kiona Vineyards and Winery, Gordon Brothers Family Vineyards and Farm Credit Services.

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