Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture Explores Food Safety Issues

Note to Reporters: Complimentary media registrations are available by visiting www.colorado.gov/ag/forum.

State and national leaders in the field of agriculture, including Gov. John Hickenlooper (invited), Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar and Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Craig Beyrouty, will speak at the annual Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture on Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St.

The forum, themed “Exploring Ag Security and Food Safety,” will cover a variety of topics related to the food system:
• Curt Mann of the Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute will discuss agricultural security on the global level.
• Dr. Larry Goodridge, food microbiologist and associate professor in CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences, will narrow the discussion to food safety within Colorado.
• Breakout sessions will include updates from the Food Systems Advisory Council and Farm to School Task Force, Consumer Communications: Producer to Consumer Messaging, choosing a third party auditor, and food safety at home.

A pre-forum reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion, 400 E 8th Avenue, Denver.

Deadline for early registration is Jan. 23. The cost is $100 or $45 for students. After Jan. 23, registration is $120 or $50 for students. To register, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/forum or call (303) 239-4100.

The forum is held in conjunction with the Colorado FFA Foundation’s Agriculture Hall of Fame banquet. For information on the banquet, visit http://www.coloradoffafoundation.org/Colorado_Agriculture_Hall_of_Fame.html.

The Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture is hosted by Gov. Hickenlooper, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University with support of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Associates and more than 50 organizations, businesses and agencies interested in the future of Colorado agriculture.

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