The Presidents of Iceland and Bangladesh, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Norman Borlaug and soil and crop experts are all slated to speak at the 2007 International Annual Meetings in New Orleans Next month. The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) are hosting the international forum on food and sustainability, where more than 4,000 scientists are expected to attend.

What was the impact of Hurricane Katrina on agriculture? What’s the connection between soil and climate change? What types of biofuel will help America’s energy crisis? These topics and more will be discussed at the International Annual Meetings, Nov. 4-8 at the Morial Convention Center, New Orleans. The event marks the 100th anniversary of ASA.

Highlighted Speakers
— Nobel Peace Prize recipient Norman Borlaug, is joined by Rob Horsch, Gates Foundation, to discuss agricultural technologies to fight world hunger.
— Iceland President Olafur Grimsson comments via video on how Iceland can be a laboratory for climate change solutions.
— Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed presents a look at problems of global warming and Arsenic Poisoning.” A Q&A will follow.
— Henry Thompson, Cancer Prevention Lab, Colorado State University, presents ways to make crops healthier in the fight against chronic diseases.
— Mike Palmer, University of Oklahoma, and Ken Cassman, University of Nebraska, presents contrasting points of view on biofuels.
— Charles Groat, University of Texas; William Jenkins, Louisiana State University; and other speakers will review the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on soil and agriculture.