News Release

MADISON, WI, SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 -- A conference is coming to Pittsburgh Nov. 1-5 that presents the latest research in plant and soil science, with an emphasis on sustainability. More than 3,000 international scientists, professionals, educators, and students will present new technologies and discuss emerging trends in agriculture, energy, climate change, carbon trading, science education, and related issues. Other informative sessions include: nutrition, wines, food security, invasive species, organic agriculture, hazardous waste, plant breeding, and turfgrass science.

The Annual Meetings of three scientific societies offers a collaborative technical program among the members of the sponsoring organizations: American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. The meetings will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. For meeting information, including searchable abstracts and other event details, visit: www.acsmeetings.org

ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings Program

The meeting theme "Footprints in the Landscape: Sustainability through Plant and Soil Sciences," presents a program that is built around daily plenary sessions, nine distinguished lectures, 2,500+ oral and poster presentations, an exhibit hall, career center, and other events.

The conference begins on Sunday, Nov. 1, with a Plenary Session from 6:00-7:00 pm, presented by 2009 World Food Prize recipient Gebisa Ejeta, Purdue University. The meeting continues through the rest of the week, with the technical program ending on Thursday, 5 November.

• Plenary Lecture by National Institute of Food & Agriculture Director Roger Beachy, 8:00-9:30 am

• “Climate Change and Agroecosystems: Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation,”  Session, 9:55-5:15 pm
• “Dirt! the Movie,” screening and discussion with Producer Gene Rosow, 3:45-5:30 pm (repeats on Nov. 3, 10:00-11:45 am)
• “Using Precision Farming Technologies to Minimize Agriculture's Footprint in the Landscape,” Symposium, 9:55 am-5:00 pm

• Intersection of technology and sustainability, Plenary Address by Calestous Juma, Harvard, 8:00-9:30 am
• Gulf of Mexico’s hypoxia zone/dead zone, Lecture by Curtis Richardson, Duke, 9:55-11:00 am
• “Global Footprints: Adding Value to Agriculture in the Developing World,” Symposium, 10:10 am-2:30 pm
• “The Environmental and Ecological Challenges of Biomass Production,” Session, 9:55 am-3:30 pm and “Impact of Ethanol Production on the Environment, Session, 9:55 am -2:45 pm

• Why soil is the most valuable ecosystem in the world, in “Soils: A Public Health Threat or Savior,” Plenary Address by Ian Pepper, University of Arizona, 8:00-9:30 am
• “Terroir: Winegrapes and the Environment,” Symposium, 12:45-6:00 pm
• “Biochar Use for Improving Environmental Quality,” Session, 12:55-6:00 pm
• “Urban Agriculture: Understanding and Communicating the Role of Turfgrass,” Symposium, 3:15-6:15 pm

• Climate change and crop diversity, Lecture by Robert J. Hijmans, University of California-Davis, 4:30-5:15 pm

• “Building a Strong Financial Base for Sustaining a Healthy Plant Breeding Community,” Symposium, presentations by the Gates Foundation, Monsanto Company, Noble Foundation, and others, 7:55-10:50 am