Clinton, Stabenow To Speak At Ag Forum

• Feb. 24 in Arlington, Va.
• Keynote speakers include Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Pres. Bill Clinton and
  Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
• Host hotel is the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that former President Bill Clinton and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will be the distinguished speakers at the 2011 Agricultural Outlook Forum Plenary Session on Feb. 24 in Arlington, Va. President Clinton served two terms as President from 1993 to 2001. Sen. Stabenow is the new Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

Secretary Vilsack will deliver the Forum's keynote address. Following the plenary, experts in 25 breakout sessions will discuss a broad range of topical issues related to risk management, renewable energy, rural communities, foreign trade and domestic markets, conservation and the environment, nutrition and USDA Dietary Guidelines, land tenure issues, broadband and sustainability.

Commodity Updates Offered

The Forum also will feature the traditional USDA commodity supply and demand and food price outlooks.

After leaving the White House, President Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to strengthen the capacity of people in the United States and throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence.

Today the Foundation has an extensive staff and volunteers around the world working to improve lives through several initiatives, including the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative, the Clinton Giustra Sustain-able Growth Initiative, the Clinton Economic Opportunity Initiative and the Clinton Global Initiative.

In the United States, the Foundation is working to combat the alarming rise in childhood obesity through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Longtime Ag Supporter

Sen. Stabenow has a long history as a champion for agriculture, forestry and rural communities, serving on agriculture committees in the Michigan House, the U.S. House and now the U.S. Senate. In the Senate, she played a leading role in crafting the most recent Farm Bill, authoring the first-ever specialty crops title.

She was also instrumental in helping maintain the safety net for farmers producing corn and soybeans.

USDA contributed to this article. Go to www.usda.gov for more details.