The Role of Law in Promoting Sustainable Farming and Rural Development: An International Perspective October 15 and 16, 2007 – Des Moines, Iowa USA [Oct. 1, 2007 - draft agenda – speakers in bold confirmed]

A two-day workshop organized by the Drake University Agricultural Law Center – to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Center. Co-sponsored by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.; the Centre for Rural Economy, University of Newcastle-on-Tyne, U.K.; the Beginning Farmer Center, Iowa State University; the National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information; and the University of Arkansas, graduate program in Agricultural Law, both in Fayetteville. Made possible with generous travel support from the Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust. Click here to view biographical information about speakers attending the Symposium.. Registration Cost: $100.00 Registration Due: Friday, October 12, 2007 Registration Details:   To register, contact Matt Russell at the Drake Agricultural Law Center, by either    email: matthew.russell@drake.edu  or by calling: 515/271-4956 CLE Information: The workshop is approved for five hours of CLE credit.

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Monday, October 15th – First Day - Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic

Welcome 9:00 – Dean David Walker, Drake University Law School

Opening Session – 9:10 – 10:25 - The Role of Law in Promoting Sustainable Farming and Rural Development

Rural Lands Rural Livelihoods: Using Land and Natural Resources to Revitalize Rural America – Prof. Neil D. Hamilton, Director, Agricultural Law Center, Drake University

The European Union and Rural Development: Charting a New Course – Prof. Michael Cardwell, University of Leeds, United Kingdom

Networking Break – 10:25 – 10:45

Second Morning Session - 10:45 – 12:15 - moderator, Timothy Whipple, Agricultural Law Center Fellow, Drake University Law School

Biofuels and the future of agriculture in Argentina and South America (to view paper, click here.) Prof. Juan Jose Fernández-Bussy. Agricultural Law, Facultad de Derecho Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario Argentina

Agri-tourism and American Farmers – Harrison Pittman, director, National Center for Agricultural Law Research and Information, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

12:20 – 1:30 - All Iowa “Buy Fresh Buy Local” Lunch in Levitt Hall, Old Main, luncheon address “Using Food Policy to Support Sustainable Farming,” Matt Russell, State Food Policy Project Coordinator, Drake University Agricultural Law Center and president, Iowa Network for Community Agriculture

First Afternoon Session - 1:35 – 3:20 - moderator, Prof. Susan Schneider, director, Agricultural Law L.LM. program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

The Role of Farmer Cooperatives in Canadian Rural Development, Paul Pommerlau, Directeur Affaires juridiques et corporatives, Nutrinor Cooperative Agroalimentaire Du Saguenay Lac St.-Jean, Quebec, Canada

Legal and Regulatory Impediments for Sustainable Growth of the Bamboo Sector: A Case Study of an Indian Grassroots Scenario, Bhargavi Motukuri, policy coordinator, INBAR, International Network of Bamboo and Rattan, New Delhi, India

Rural Legal Reforms and the Future of Chinese Agriculture, Yang Ziang, Assoc. prof. of law, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chonquing, China, visiting scholar at Drake

Afternoon Networking Break - 3:20 – 3:35

Second Afternoon Session 3:35 – 5:00 moderator, Jennifer Williams Zwagerman, Faegre and Benson, Des Moines, Iowa

Rural Lands and Rural Livelihoods in the U.K. – The Common Lands Issue, Prof. Chris Rodgers, University of Newcastle, Centre for Rural Economy, Newcastle on Tyne, UK

The Role of Forestry in Rural Development and the Provision of Energy: A German Perspective, Erimar von der Osten, staff attorney National Center for Agricultural Law Research, University of Arkansas and Board Member, Arbeitsgemeinschaft fuer Agrarfragene e.V., (German agricultural and forestry association)

Conference Adjourns for the First Day - 5:00

5:15 – 6:30 – Evening Reception at the “Rural Land Rural Livelihoods All Iowa Art Show” in the Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic

7:00 – 10:00 International Workshop Banquet – to Honor the memory of Prof. Louis Lorvellec, with special guest Soizic Lorvellec, in Levitt Hall, Old Main

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Tuesday October 16th – Second Day – Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic
Coffee and Rolls - 8:30 – 9:45

First morning session - 8:45 – 10:00 - moderator, Prof. Christopher Kelley, University of Arkansas School of Law, Fulbright scholar in Ukraine (click here to view presentation)

The Dormant Commerce Clause and State Initiatives to Promote U.S. Agriculture, Prof. Anthony Schutz, University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, Nebraska

Ethiopia’s Agricultural Development Led Industrialization (ADLI) Strategy, Eyob Tekalign Tolina, Head, Economy and Business, Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington, DC

Morning Networking Break - 10:00 – 10:15

Second Morning Session – 10:15 – 12:15 – moderator, Prof. Neil D. Hamilton, Drake University Law School

Rural Development and the Future of French Agriculture, (to view paper, click here.) Luc Bodiguel - Chargé de recherche CNRS, Chargé d'enseignements à la Faculté de Droit de Nantes et d'Angers

Rural Development, Food Heritage and Tourism: An Italian Perspective, Prof. Domenico Viti, University of Foggia, Italy and Lorvellec Visiting International Scholar, Drake University Law School

Public Access to Seeds and Human Right to Adequate Food, Dr. Marc Cohen, Development Strategy and Governance Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC

12:15 – 1:20 - All Iowa Lunch, with keynote address "The Role of Public Agencies in Rural Revitalization" – Mark Reisinger, executive director, USDA Rural Development, Iowa

First Tuesday Afternoon Session 1:30 – 3:00, moderator, Prof. Hunter R. Clark, Drake University Law School

Programs to Support Beginning Farmers and Farm Succession Planning, John Baker, Administrator, Beginning Farmer Center, Iowa State University

Agricultural Policy Reform for Restructuring Agriculture and Rural Development in Japan – Dr. Shunsuke Yanagimura, Prof. of Farm Business Management, Miyagi University, Japan

Break - 3:00 – 3:15

3:15 – 4:45 - Closing Session - Round Table Discussion – The Role of Agricultural Law Professors in Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

Conference Adjourns – 4:45