21st Century Farm Policy:
Challenges and Opportunities

October 30 - 31, 2005
Fargodome, Fargo, ND

U.S. Senator Kent Conrad and Dr. Won W. Koo, Director of the Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, organized a conference on future farm policy and its effects on U.S. agriculture. This event was held October 30-31, 2005, at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota.  You may view a copy of the Conference Executive Summary publication by clicking here.  You can view photographs from the conference by clicking here. (Special thanks to CAPTS Research Assistant Professor Jose Andino for taking the photos during the conference.)

Conference Objectives:

To discuss key issues influencing agricultural policy in the future, including:

• the World Trade Organization (WTO) and regional free trade negotiations,
• federal budget deficits,
• public perceptions of agriculture, and
• market influences, structural changes, and food industry expectations.

To identify future farm policies that

• recognize the changing agricultural policy environment,
• provide for prosperous and vibrant rural communities,
• are politically and economically sustainable for producers and rural communities, and
• make U.S. agriculture more competitive.

Encourage innovative thinking that can effectively navigate changing political influences.

Organizing Committee:

Won W. Koo, Professor and Director, Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, NDSU
Roger Johnson, North Dakota Agricultural Commissioner
James Miller, Senator Policy Analyst, Office of U.S. Senator Kent Conrad
Robert Carlson, President, North Dakota Farmers Union
Eric Aasmundstad, President, North Dakota Farm Bureau
Fred Kirschenman, Director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Jerry Nagle, President, Northern Great Plains, Inc.
Bill Patrie, Rural Development Director, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

Conference Sponsors:

Conference Partners

($5,000 and above)

North Dakota Farmers Union

Farm Foundation

Program Sponsors

($2,000 - $4,999)

Ag Country Farm Credit Services

American Crystal Sugar Company

Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company

North Dakota Corn Utilization Council

General Sponsors

($1,000 - $1,999)

CHS, Inc.

Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative

Independent Community Banks of North Dakota

Farm Credit Services of Grand Forks

Farm Credit Services of Mandan

Farm Credit Services of North Dakota in Minot

American Sugarbeet Growers Association

Northern Canola Growers Association

North Dakota Barley Council

North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil Association

North Dakota Grain Growers Association

Wells Fargo

North Dakota Ag Association & The Fertilizer Institute

Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association

North Dakota Bankers Association

National Corn Growers Association

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

Contributors

(less than $1,000)

North Dakota Wheat Commission

North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

North Dakota Natural Resources Trust

U.S. Durum Growers Association

North Dakota Farm Bureau

Rain and Hail Crop Insurance

North Dakota Soybean Growers Association

Northarvest Bean Growers Association

National Barley Growers Association

Busch Ag Resources, Inc.

CoBank

National Sunflower Association

If you would like to become a conference sponsor, please contact Beth Ambrosio (701-231-7334).