UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's College Of Agricultural Sciences Will Host An Agricultural Summit Titled "nutrient Management: A Balancing Act," March 23-24 At The Holiday Inn-harrisburg/hershey In Grantville.

Among lead participants at the summit will be Kathleen McGinty, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, Dennis Wolff, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Robert Steele, dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. The summit will allow representatives of key stakeholder groups to communicate and network regarding nutrient management issues, facilitate a collaborative working environment for addressing nutrient management concerns and create an environment for innovative, efficient and effective solutions to nutrient management problems. The summit is designed to benefit agricultural producers, agricultural consultants, policymakers, regulators, researchers, public officials, representatives of support industries and environmental groups, electric utility officials, wastewater treatment representatives, fertilizer dealers and educators.

Discussions and presentations will focus on the following topics: environmental impacts; science and research; public policy and regulations; management approaches; and implementation strategies. "The summit will provide a unique opportunity for all of the stakeholders to take a proactive step towards addressing their interests and concerns around the critical topic of nutrient management," says Mary Wirth, director of college relations. "We encourage all those interested in attending to register early as space is limited.”

Tom Sims, noted professor of soil and environmental chemistry, associate dean for academic programs and research, and director of the Institute of Soil and Environmental Quality and Delaware Water Resources Center at the University of Delaware, will give a presentation titled "Nutrient Resource Management From a National Perspective."

For more information on the summit or to register, contact the Office of Conferences and Short Courses at 814-865-8301 or visit the Web at http://conferences.cas.psu.edu.

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Jeff Mulhollem Office 814-863-2719 FAX 814-863-9877