On the Horizon
Mid-Atlantic Grass-Fed Beef Conference runs Aug. 11 and 12
Grass-fed beef has emerged as a product of interest to both consumers and producers as consumers strive to better understand the origin of their food supply.
The Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center at Mount Olive College will host the first Mid-Atlantic Grass-Fed Beef Conference Aug.11-12 at the Sheraton Imperial in Research Triangle Park to discuss the challenges facing producers and address consumer questions about grass-fed beef.
The conference is supported by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission in collaboration with N.C. Cooperative Extension at N.C. State University, N.C. Cattlemen’s Association, N.C. Choices, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Farm Bureau and a number of North Carolina cattle producers.
A pre-conference tour of grass-fed and locally finished beef producers, Triple B Farms, Rogers Cattle Company and Baldwin Beef, will kick off the conference activities Aug. 11. Pre-registration for the tour is required as space is limited.
The conference follows in the evening with a grass-fed beef dinner and a producer panel including Scott Barao from the Jorgensen Foundation in Maryland, Jamie Ager from Hickory Nut Gap Farm near Asheville, Will Harris from White Oak Pastures in Georgia and Johnny Rogers from Rogers Cattle Company near Roxboro.
The second day of the conference includes educational presentations by nationally known speakers covering topics such as genetics, grazing, marketing options and labeling specifications. The keynote luncheon speakers are Dr. Susan Duckett, a nationally recognized meat scientist from Clemson University, and Dr. Loren Cordain, author of “The Paleo Diet.” Both will address the proposed attributes of grass-fed beef and the implications of grass-fed beef on human health.
“We are excited about the quality of the conference,” said Sandy Maddox, associate director of the Agribusiness Center at Mount Olive College. “The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission and the collaborative efforts of N.C. State and other agricultural organizations and agribusinesses have made this a unique opportunity for producers and consumers.”
Pre-registration is required. Cost for the tour only is $25 and $100 in advance for the remainder of the conference. On-site registration is allowed, but pre-registration offers a discount to attendees.
Contact Maddox at (919) 658-7682 or smaddox@moc.edu, or go to www.mocagbiz.com for additional information or to register.
