SD Corn Growers annual meeting to feature Culver’s CEO, vast lineup of ag specialists

The 29th annual meeting of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association will include a diverse lineup of speakers who are leaders in their respective fields.

The Jan. 17 meeting at the Sioux Falls Convention Center will feature a variety of presentations and panel discussions throughout the day as well as an evening banquet. Craig Culver, CEO of Culver’s restaurants, will be the keynote speaker during the banquet.

Lunch program speakers will be Chris Novak, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, and Michael Alston, associate administrator of the Risk Management Agency, which operates the federal crop insurance program.

The master of ceremonies for the day’s events will be Orion Samuelson, longtime broadcaster, National Radio Hall of Fame inductee, and co-host of “This Week in Agribusiness.”

“Our annual meeting always provides a great opportunity to learn from top ag specialists, stay informed on major issues and pick up new ideas. This year’s lineup has something to interest everyone,” SDCGA President Keith Alverson of Chester said. “We feel particularly fortunate to have Craig Culver as keynote speaker for our evening banquet. He and his company have made a strong commitment to agriculture and are very supportive of local farmers.”

Other presenters throughout the day will discuss the farm bill, federal policies, grain marketing, risk management, information technology and succession planning.

Nearly 1,000 people are expected to attend the annual meeting. All of the educational seminars are free. There will be charges for lunch and the evening banquet. Proceeds from lunch tickets will be donated to Feeding South Dakota.

For information or to register click here or call 605-334-0100.

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South Dakota Corn Growers Association Annual Meeting

Jan. 17, Sioux Falls Convention Center

8 a.m. – Resolutions meeting

9 a.m. – Welcome by Orion Samuelson, co-host of “This Week in Agribusiness”

9:15 a.m. – Risk management, pricing and 2015 outlook, by Matt Roberts, Ohio State University

Mid-morning – Information technology panel featuring Andy Pringnitz and Landon Frye of Granular, and Sean Arians of Precision Planting

Lunch program – Chris Novak, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association and Michael Alston, associate administrator of the Risk Management Agency

Early afternoon – Farm bill and policy discussion by Jonathan Coppess of the University of Illinois and Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse Communications

Late afternoon – Succession planning by Kevin Spafford, Legacy by Design

5:30 p.m. – Social, silent auction; evening master of ceremonies Jim Woster

6:30-9:30 p.m. – Banquet, program, awards presentation and music. Speakers will include Craig Culver, CEO of Culver’s restaurants, and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard.