RICHMOND—The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the Virginia Port Authority will hold the Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade March 13 and 14 at the Omni Richmond Hotel.

The conference will offer workshops on the international trade of agricultural goods and is designed to provide a forum where producers, private-sector businesses, industry officials and policymakers can discuss export opportunities and challenges.

“We’re really proud to be a part of the workshop, now in its fourth year,” said Spencer Neale, VFBF senior assistant director of commodity marketing. “While times may be tough, agriculture exports are a bright spot for Virginia and U.S. farms.”

Conference speakers include Richard T. Crowder, former U.S. chief agriculture trade negotiator and a Virginia Tech professor; Todd Haymore, Virginia secretary of agriculture and forestry; and Greg Edwards, director of external affairs for the Virginia Port Authority.

Embassy representatives from Egypt, India and New Zealand will participate in a panel discussion about their perspectives on agricultural trade with the United States.

Registration is limited. For more information and to register visit VaFarmBureau.org/Agriculture/
AgTradeConference.aspx.

Contact Neale at 804-290-1153.