By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Speakers invited to the Illinois Commodity Conference Nov. 24 will discuss changes in various aspects of modern production agriculture, Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA) president Rob Elliott said.

“There is change going on in how the public perceives agriculture, and changes in how animal activist groups are attacking farmers,” said Elliot, commenting on this year’s conference theme, “Wrestling With Change.”

Wes Jamison, Ph.D. served more than 10 years as a professor of agricultural politics before focusing on the rise of purposive activist groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other opponents of agriculture.

“He is going to talk about the HSUS and their ongoing campaign to rid the world of animal agriculture,” said Elliott. “This has become a huge, key issue to modern agriculture.

“Also speaking will be John Carter, a Brazilian farmer who can give a firsthand perspective about what really happens in Brazil with the rainforests regarding indirect land usage. If we grow an acre of corn for ethanol, does that automatically mean the destruction of an acre of the Brazilian rain forests? Carter will explain why that’s not the case.”

Also invited to speak are Pat Hagerty, “a political humorist who will talk about elected officials during his presentation, ‘The Difference Between Boy Scouts and Elected Officials is Boy Scouts Have Adult Supervision,’” said Elliott, “and Rulon Gardner, a farmer and Olympic gold medal winner whose speech is entitled ‘Never Give Up, Never Stop Trying: Seven Steps to Success.’”

The conference, held annually the week before Thanksgiving and sponsored by the ICGA, the Illinois Soybean Assoc. (ISA) and other Illinois farm commodity organizations, offers an opportunity for growers and producers of grain and livestock to meet and discuss common concerns, said ISA chairman Ron Moore, a soybean producer from Roseville.

“The agenda is packed with knowledgeable speakers who will share information that is relevant to today’s producers,” Moore said. “Plus, it’s a great opportunity for livestock and grain producers to build relationships that foster growth for the entire agricultural industry.”

The registration fee for the Illinois Commodity Conference, at Bloomington’s DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center, is $65, including lunch, before Nov. 6. Registration increases to $90 after that date.

Elliott expressed some concern that Illinois farmers would not be through with harvest by the kickoff off the conference, a rare occurrence. “The Illinois Commodity Conference is a great opportunity after harvest – hopefully – for the industry to come together and reconnect after a busy season and discuss current issues,” he said.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the conference concludes by 3:30 p.m. For more information contact Nicole Branum at 309-557-3343 or Lindsay Mitchell by e-mail at lmitchell@ilcorn.org