Mercier Speaks At University of Arkansas Global Food Security Meeting October 12 - Public Invited

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Farm Journal Foundation supports the important effort of the University of Arkansas Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness in gathering key speakers to discuss global food security issues and agriculture policies during the "Preparing for 21^st Century Policy Choices" event October 12, 2015. Dr. Stephanie Mercier will speak along with U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R, AR) and Dr. Ed Fryar, CEO, Ozark Mountain Poultry.

Mercier, senior policy and advocacy adviser, Farm Journal Foundation, will share her expert advice about U.S. agricultural policy and the need for building a collaborative policy framework. "The Farm Journal Foundation Farm Team is a national network of farmers who are passionate about the role of agriculture in addressing hunger around the world, as an example," says Mercier. "These leaders seek to engage with policy makers, promoting an international vision and commitment to U.S. foreign policy."

The lead farmer for the Arkansas Farm Journal Foundation Farm Team, John Paul Pendergrass, director of Innovative Livestock Services Inc. and co-owner of Pendergrass Cattle Company, will also be participating in the event.

"As a farmer, I'm personally dedicated to feeding people. Each of us can do our part to help those who suffer from hunger," comments Pendergrass. "At this event, members of the Arkansas farm community and students from the University of Arkansas will have a chance to hear from policymakers and thought leaders about the important role that U.S. agriculture and other agricultural institutions can and must play in feeding a growing global population. As an alumni of the University of Arkansas and the Arkansas lead farmer for the Farm Journal Foundation's Farm Team program, I am proud that these two institutions are partnering to provide this opportunity for the people of Arkansas."

Leaders from the food industry and policymakers will meet Monday, October 12 at the University of Arkansas to discuss global food security issues. The event begins at at 5 p.m. in Hembree Auditorium in the Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Building.

Featured presenters include:

• U.S. Sen. John Boozman, "Agricultural and Food Policy – the Art of the Possible"
• Dr. Stephanie Mercier, senior policy and advocacy adviser, Farm Journal Foundation, "Developing a Policy Framework – the Farm Team Experience"
• Dr. Ed Fryar, CEO, Ozark Mountain Poultry, "Adapting Business Strategies to Today's Policy Realities"

A question and answer session is also scheduled with Wesley Ward, Arkansas secretary of agriculture; Rodney Baker, executive vice president of Arkansas Farm Bureau; John Paul Pendergrass, director of Innovative Livestock Services Inc. and co-owner of Pendergrass Cattle Company; and Nathan Reed, owner of Reed Farms and winner of the 2015 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award.

The event is sponsored by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science's Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, and the Farm Journal Foundation.

The public is invited to attend this free event, but registration is required. To register, go to: http://uark.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6KK5tZUQ0WxQgAJ.

About The Farm Journal Foundation
The Farm Journal Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining agriculture's ability to serve the vital needs of a growing world population with education and empowerment. The Farm Journal Foundation aims to rally communities around the fight against world hunger through programs including Farm Teams, HungerU, and Your Seat At The Table. For more information, contact Margie Alsbrook at [email protected]

SOURCE Farm Journal Foundation