Last Updated: 11/29/2022

The Role of R&D in Agriculture and Related Industries: Today and Tomorrow

On September 24, 2007, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago held a conference on the role of research and development in agriculture, biotechnology and the food industry. It focused on policies that promote industry growth and rural development. This conference brought together those interested in research and development (R&D) issues facing agriculture and related sectors of industry, particularly biofuels and food manufacturing. The goals of the conference were to examine R&D from a midwestern perspective, explore the implications of R&D for industry growth and discuss the influence of government R&D policies on industries and rural development. Orion Samuelson, agribusiness director at WGN Radio Chicago since 1960, presented the keynote luncheon speech.

Agenda

Monday, 09/24/07

8:00 AM

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks

William Testa, Vice President and Director of Regional Programs, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Chris Bloom, Technology Commercialization Task Force, Economic Development Council of Chicago

Richard Paullin, Illinois Global Partnership

9:15 AM

Session I: Agriculture R&D and Funding

Speakers

Agricultural Productivity and the Role of Research

David B. Oppedahl, Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Role of R&D in Agriculture and Related Industries - An Investor's Perspective

Eric C. Larson, Founder and Managing Partner, Linden LLC

Public/Private Collaborations and the Need for Ag Research Funding

Mark E Cook, Professor Animal Science, University of Wisconsin

10:15 AM

Break

10:30 AM

Session II: Biotechnology and Food R&D

Speakers
Evolution of R&D in Agriculture

Beth Calabotta, Biodiesel and Oilseed Innovation Technical Lead, Monsanto Company

Food R&D

Martin Cole, Director, National Center for Food Safety and Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology

11:30 AM

Lunch

Introduction

Charles L. Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Keynote: From Reaper to the Satellite

Orion Samuelson, Agribusiness Director, WGN Radio

1:00 PM

Session III: Biofuels R&D

Speaker

Biofuels R&D

Seth Snyder, Section Leader for Chemical and Biological Technology, Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory

1:30 PM

Session IV: Panel Discussion: What Are the Best Policies to Promote Ag-related R&D? The Perspectives of the Midwest, Nation and World

Moderator

William Testa, Vice President and Director of Regional Programs, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Speakers

The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center: An Overview

John Caupert, Director, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center

CREATE-21: A Generational Opportunity for Enhancing Economic Development

Jeffrey D Armstrong, Dean and Professor, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University

What Are the Best Policies to Promote Ag-related R&D?

Robert L. Thompson, Gardner Chair in Agricultural Policy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3:15 PM

Adjourn for Tour of the National Center for Food Safety and Technology (Co-Sponsored by the Illinois Global Partnership and the Economic Development Council of Chicago)