Ag Technology Conference Set
Published: Oct. 4, 2007
BLOOMINGTON - Applications of "hand-held" technologies to farming and other agribusinesses will be the focus of a Dec. 13 conference, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. "it4Ag" will be held at the Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St., Bloomington.
"Farmers have many new delivery systems for information today," explained Dennis Bowman, U of I Extension crop systems educator based in Champaign and one of the conference's organizers. "Increasingly, producers use the Internet and podcasts to get information when and where they need it.
"Now, with hand-held devices like cell phones and PDAs, they can do all kinds of things. For instance, with auto-steering devices on harvesting and planting machinery, farmers can multi-task and be in constant contact with marketing information, making decisions literally in the field."
The McLean County Farm Bureau is also sponsoring the conference, noted Don Meyer, U of I Extension's director in the county.
"We plan to have speakers who are familiar with uses of hand-held technologies and also some panels of farmers who have used these devices in their own enterprises," explained Meyer. "We also will have vendors at the event."
The conference opens at 9 a.m. with a discussion by Paul Hixson, U of I Extension communications specialist, about current and future roles information technology plays in agriculture.
"There will be three breakout sessions focusing on 'Handheld and Portable Devices: What and Why,' 'Internet Tools: Information on Demand,' and 'Collaboration Technologies: Linking You to Your Supply and Marketing Chain," said Meyer. "U of I Extension broadcast communications specialist Todd Gleason will moderate a producer panel presenting personal experiences using information technologies.
"A trade show allowing participants to interact with various aspects of information technology will also be featured."
Registration for the event is $50 and includes conference fee, lunch, and a USB drive with conference materials included. Those who register before Nov. 13 will also receive a portable media player for MP3 and video files.
Those interested in learning more about the event or in pre-registering may do so through McLean County Extension's website (http://www.mcleanextension.org). Details on registration and/or exhibitor information may also be obtained by contacting Brian Lambert at the McLean County Extension office (309) 663-8306.
-30-