By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
The Texas Plant Planning Association (TPPA) will hold its TPPA 30th Annual Conference Dec. 4-5 in Bryan at the Brazos Center.
The agenda for the opening general sessions was released by the association’s Conference Planning Committee earlier this month.
“The theme for the conference is Innovations in Texas Agriculture for a Profitable Ag Future,” Dr. Kranthi Mandadi, TPPA president, said. “With this theme, we are pleased with the lineup of outstanding speakers that will kick off our two-day December conference.”
The agricultural conference will feature government officials, educational leaders and researchers from across the state. Dr. Patrick Stover, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, will give the introduction to the conference and kick off the two-day affair.
Other speakers at the conference include Kyle Kacal, Texas State Representative for the Bryan/College Station area, and Dr. Jay Lehr, state director with the Heartland Institute. Kacal will update attendees on state legislation affecting Texas agriculture, while Lehr will discuss trending issues in agriculture.
“Dr. Lehr makes people feel good about American agriculture,” Ray Smith, TPPA board chairman, said. “He combines five decades of expertise and experience in agricultural economics, agronomy, environmental science and business administration with the most contagious enthusiasm for the future of agriculture. He never fails to lift the spirits of the men and women working in every facet of agribusiness today.”
Mike Johnson, head of Crop Protection Field Development at Syngenta Crop Protection, will discuss research and development innovations, and Loren Wernett, manager of Ag Digital Solutions with BASF, will speak on marketing in the digital age.
The conference will also feature presentations on innovations that will impact Texas agriculture.
Breakout sessions taking place after the opening session will include topics such as new technology and chemistry, fertility management and precision agriculture, among others.
For more information on the conference, visit www.texasplantprotection.com or email tppa@consolidated.net.