The Science Behind the Food We Eat and the Earth on Which It Grows

Newswise — Where can you get more than 3,000 people buzzing about the science behind the food we eat and the earth on which it grows? At the International Annual Meetings of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) held Nov. 4-8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans. The event is a celebration of the 100th anniversary of ASA.

Come hear what soil scientists, crop scientists, and agronomists from around the world have to say about soil clean up and agricultural impacts post Hurricane Katrina. Learn about such topics as food security, biofuels, climate change, organic agriculture, and more in the research presentations, lectureships, and plenary sessions each day. Stop by the Exhibit Hall to view the demonstrations and displays for instruments, machinery, and scientific and agricultural products.

Daily Plenary Speakers"¢ Sunday, Nov. 4, 7-8pm: Nobel Prize and Congressional Gold Medal winner and father of the "Green Revolution" Norman Borlaug is joined by Rob Horsch of the Gates Foundation to present a lecture on developing agricultural technologies to fight world hunger."¢ Monday, Nov. 5, 8-9am: President of Iceland Olafur Grimsson will present a lecture on climate change and how Iceland can be a laboratory for global solutions."¢ Tuesday, Nov. 6, 8-9am: Henry Thompson, Director, Cancer Prevention Lab, Colorado State University, will present a lecture on ways to improve health attributes of food crops in the fight against chronic diseases."¢ Wednesday, Nov. 7, 8-9am: Two scientists present contrasting points of view on the emerging topic of biofuels at this plenary lecture presented by Mike Palmer, University of Oklahoma and Ken Cassman, University of Nebraska.

Daily Featured SymposiaThe meetings feature daily general symposia from 1-3pm on Agricultural Experimentation (Monday), World Hunger (Tuesday), and Hurricane Katrina (Wednesday). Other presentations are organized into special interest categories: Sustainable Environments, Bioenergy, and Human Health & Food Security. Search the online Meeting Program: http://www.acsmeetings.org/meetings_program

Presidential Reception (invitation only)Several dozen soil scientists, the Governor of Louisiana (invited) and the Mayor of New Orleans (invited) will welcome the President of Iceland and the Former President of Bangladesh at a reception on Sunday, Nov. 4 from 5-6:45pm. Members of the media are invited, please RSVP.

Interview Opportunities These presenters may be available to interview: Norman Borlaug (recipient of 2007 Congressional Gold Medal, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize); President of Iceland Olafur Grimssson; Former President of Bangladesh Iajuddin Ahmed; and other experts on these topics: climate change, biofuels, careers in agriculture, Hurricane Katrina impacts, human health, food security, carbon trading, organic crops, global agriculture, commodity crops, etc. Please coordinate interviews through Sara Uttech.

RegistrationMembers of the media are invited to attend with complimentary registration to credentialed journalists, PIOs, and NASW members. Advance media registration encouraged. To register on site, present a business card or other press credentials to the Registration Center, Exhibit Hall A Lobby of the Convention Center. A Press Room will be located as part of the Career Placement Center, Room R06-R09, Second Floor.

The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) www.agronomy.org, the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) www.crops.org and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) www.soils.org are educational organizations helping their 11,000+ members advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy, crop, and soil sciences by supporting professional growth and science policy initiatives, and by providing quality, research-based publications and a variety of member services.