MOC hosting agri-business conference
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on February 2, 2005 2:02 PM
MOUNT OLIVE -- About 25 farmers and extension agents from across the state are attending a four-day professional development conference at Mount Olive College.
The conference, which began Sunday, is sponsored by Altria-Shared Solutions. This is the second conference of its kind being held at the Agribusiness Center at Mount Olive College. It covers the economics and environmental aspects of farming as well as community and business skills needed to be a success.
The center's director, Dr. Don Scott, said the group will hear from 21 speakers. The goup also will tour Goldsboro Milling and Flowers Bakery.
"A lot of people think of agribusiness as just farming," said Scott. "We're trying to get them to think in terms of the whole chain, all the way to the processors."
He said he also wants the farmers attending the conference to see it as an investiment and worth taking the time off from their normal routine.
"Most people will think, 'You're taking four days off work? What are you, on vacation or something?' If you worked for a progressive company, that company would send you and pay you to take the training. But most farmers are self-employed."