Colorado Department of Agriculture www.colorado.gov/ag Christi Lightcap (303) 239-4190 Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us

media release Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences www.colostate.edu Coleman Cornelius (970) 491-2392 Coleman.cornelius@colostate.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2012

Conference Focuses on Food Safety & Agricultural Security

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The 21^st annual Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture, scheduled Feb. 23 in Denver, will focus on the critical challenges of food safety and agricultural security.

The conference’s guest speakers will address a variety of topics related to the food system. Officials also will announce details about two new programs meant to help shape the future of agriculture in Colorado:

The Colorado Agricultural Cluster: A project to identify and develop connections among sectors within the state’s broad agricultural industry. This initiative is part of the Colorado Blueprint, organized by the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade and aimed at sparking innovation and economic growth.

Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program: A new professional-development program designed to boost the leadership capabilities of diverse men and women committed to the future of Colorado’s agriculture and rural communities.

Speakers at this year’s forum include Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper; Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar; Dr. Craig Beyrouty, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University; Dr. Curt Mann, advisory services consultant at Empryse Group LLC and adjunct fellow at the Homeland Security Studies & Analysis Institute; and Dr. Larry Goodridge, food microbiologist and associate professor in the CSU Department of Animal Sciences.

Breakout sessions will cover a variety of current issues within the agricultural industry:

• The 2011 Listeria Outbreak in Colorado Cantaloupe: Where Do We Go From Here?
• Food Safety for Consumers and High-Risk Audiences
• Be Prepared to Communicate: Tools You Can Use Before a Crisis Strikes
• Third Party Audits & Auditors
• Food Systems Advisory Council Update
• Farm-to-School Task Force Update

The Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture will be at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 23. Additional information, including registration information, is available at www.colorado.gov/ag/forum.

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