NFF to hold 1st National Congress in ‘09

THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) will hold its 1st National Congress at the Brisbane Convention Centre over 22-23 June 2009, including the inaugural NFF 2009 Innovation in Agriculture Awards. The Congress theme: ‘Modern Farmers – growing opportunities today… meeting the challenges of tomorrow’ will be a timely examination of world food needs and Australia’s important part in filling the order. “For the first time, the NFF is bringing farmers, whole-of-chain participants, government and leading experts in their fields together to discuss and debate the major issues, challenges and opportunities ahead of Australian agriculture and, indeed, the world,” NFF President David Crombie said. “The 2009 Congress, which will be an annual event, will address the critical issues of our time and, importantly, each session will feature dedicated time for questions from the floor to allow farmers to have their say by asking questions of the experts.” Topics and issues to be canvassed at the two-day event, include (see link to Congress website below for details): * Climate Change * Global Food Crisis and Australia’s Response * Asian Growth and Australian Opportunity * Drought and Water * Farm-To-Fork * Concurrent Sessions: (a) New Technologies, (b) Risk Management and (c) Labour Shortages * Genetically Modified Crops “We will also launch the NFF 2009 Innovation in Agriculture Awards, which will showcase the best of modern farming practices from four categories: Sustainability, Value Adding, New Technology and Community Development,” Mr Crombie added. “The NFF anticipates that upwards for 300 delegates will converge on Brisbane over the two days, which is designed as a valuable information sharing occasion, with plenty of scope for networking and socialising, to establish the National Congress as the premier event on the agricultural calendar. “We are also offering unique Sponsorship and Exhibition opportunities for others to participate in the National Congress, which will ensure our partners are positioned ‘front and centre’ for this special event. “If you are involved with farming in Australia, you cannot afford to miss the NFF 2009 National Congress. We look forward to seeing a vast array for farmers from all over Australia in Brisbane. Mark it in your diary today.” More information is available from the http://www.congress.nff.org.au[NFF 2009 National Congress] website. [ENDS]