Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture deadline for early registration extended through Feb. 11

Those wanting to attend the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture at a reduced rate are still in luck, as you have a little more time left to save on registration costs.

Rather than registration increasing from $150 to $200 after Feb. 4, event organizers are pushing the early-registration deadline back a week, to Thursday, Feb. 11.

There’s no ultimate registration deadline for this year’s Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture, but those who register early can save, and in addition to that, there are discounted rates for students and alumni of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP).

The 2016 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture – titled “Next Generation Agriculture” – is set for 8 a.m. on Feb. 18, taking place at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel (3801 Quebec St). The There’s no shortage of issues discussed among the public, media, lawmakers and industry when it comes to food production, and the 2016 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture will take on many of these critical topics, all while examining the future of ag in the Centennial State.

In particular, this event will explore how Colorado can best prepare a next generation of top-notch producers, who will be tasked with feeding a rapidly growing population, and doing so with less resources while facing a number of challenges.

The Forum will cover the future of Colorado’s rural communities, labor availability challenges, succession planning for farmers and ranchers, working in multi-generational workplaces, the changing landscape for women in ag, Colorado’s new cannabis industry, technology, biotechnology, social media and more.

The dozens of presenters and panelists slated to take the stage at this year’s Forum include:

* Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper

* Don Brown, Colorado Agriculture Commissioner

* Dr. David Brown, Co-Director of Cornell University’s Community & Regional Development Institute, and International Professor of Development Sociology

* Ken Nugent, President and CEO of Global Development Analytics

* Quint Redmond, President and CEO of AgriNETx LLC and Agriburbia LLC

* Jason Resnick, Vice President and General Counsel with the Western Growers Association

* Juriana Sperandio, Head of Organization Development with JBS LLC

* Paul Hoff, COO at Agribotix

* and a myriad of Colorado farmers and ranchers, Colorado State University faculty, and other experts and officials from the industry                             

This is the 25th year of the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture, which in recent years has been hosted by the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP). CALP, now working with its 12th class, is a nonprofit organization that develops and enhances the leadership capabilities of diverse men and women committed to the future of Colorado’s agricultural and rural communities.

Once again this year, the Colorado FFA Foundation will host the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame Reception and Banquet immediately following the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture, starting at 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 18. During this annual event, new inductees officially take their place in the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, while a “Rising Star” in the industry is also recognized. To learn more and register for that event, go to coloradoffafoundation.org.       

Additionally, the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association will be hosting its annual meeting at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel on the day prior to the Governor’s Forum on Agriculture (Feb. 17). To learn more, go to cfvga.org.

event is open to the public and media. Anyone interested in attending can learn more and register at www.governorsagforum.com.