Acclaimed agricultural scientist, thought leader and science communicator Kevin M. Folta will be visiting Birchip next week, to share his views on how the industry can deal with a range of emerging and potentially controversial topics including GMOs, glyphosate, fake meat and how farmers and farming communities can best promote the industry and the methods we use.
Dr Folta will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural BCG Chairman’s breakfast hosted by John Ferrier from 8am on Thursday, 15 August. The Chairman’s Breakfast seeks to bring thought leaders to Birchip to promote high level discussion about the future of agriculture in the region.
BCG Chairman John Ferrier says that Dr Folta’s visit provides an amazing opportunity for local farmers and community members to engage with a world-renowned science communicator and learn more about the issues impacting the industry here in Australia and around the world.
“Dr Folta’s passion for agriculture and his drive to tell the truth in the face of strident criticism give him a unique perspective on many of the big issues facing the industry today. Given recent stories about glyphosate, animal activism, climate change and the ongoing debate about GMOs, Dr Folta’s visit provides a unique and valuable opportunity for growers and agribusinesses alike to learn more about science communication from one of the world’s best.”
In this first meeting Dr Folta, from the University of Florida, will facilitate a conversation on the challenges facing modern agriculture and how those of us in farming communities can promote our industry and methods to an increasingly engaged and interested public.
Dr Folta is a Professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida. He has been recognised for his science communication efforts, speaking with public audiences, and training scientists and agricultural producers to be better communicators. In 2016 he was recognised with the prestigious CAST Borlaug Award in Agricultural Communications and was named as the Ag Pro Person of the Year.
Dr Folta is in Australia as a guest of Marcus Oldham College as part of the Centre for the Study of Agribusiness’ guest speaker series.
This event will be held at the BCG Boardroom, it will be free, however a gold coin donation to the Birchip Cropping Group Charity is appreciated. Registration is essential via the BCG website www.bcg.org.au/events. For more information, please call the BCG office on 03 5492 2787.
