- , Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago



8:00 a.m.		Registration and Continental Breakfast


8:30 a.m.		Welcome and Introduction Helen K. Mirza, Community Affairs Program Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Mary Lawyer, Director, Iowa Department of Economic Development Steven W. Kuehl, Consumer Regulations Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago


8:50 a.m.		Overview of Midwest Agriculture and Rural Development Issues Presentation David Oppedahl Business Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago


9:15 a.m.		Rural Depopulation: What Does It Mean for the Future Economic Health of Rural Areas and the Community Banks That Support Them? Presentation John M. Anderlik Regional Manager, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Kansas City Region Division of Insurance and Research


10:15 a.m.		Break


10:30 a.m.		Concurrent Sessions: Infrastructure in Rural Areas Telecommunications Moderator Presentation Dr. Peter L. Stenberg Senior Economist, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Joe Crookham Owner and President, Mahaska Communications Group Presentation Bill Esbeck Executive Director, Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association Presentation Robert L. Filka Chief Operating Officer, Michigan Broadband Development Authority
10:30 a.m.		Rural Quality of Life & More Moderator Presentation Kelly Haverkampf Executive Director, Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. Presentation Andrew Anderson Chairman, Vision Iowa Board and Attorney, Faegre & Benson, LLP Presentation Dr. Norman Walzer Director Emeritus, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University Presentation Michael White Viticulture Specialist, Iowa State University Extension
10:30 a.m.		Economic Opportunities in Rural America Moderator Presentation Dr. Thomas W. Farmer Director, National Research Center on Rural Education Support Presentation Steven Kline President and Chief Executive Officer, The Economic Development Group, Ltd. Presentation Jeff Stroburg President and Chief Executive Officer, West Central Cooperative Presentation Kenneth Yorgensen Senior Vice President of Technology, Rural Sourcing, Inc.


12:00 p.m.		Lunch and Keynote Address Introduction of the Governor Jeff Plagge, President and CEO, The First National Bank of Waverly and Class A Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Keynote Address Thomas J. Vilsack, Governor, State of Iowa


1:00 p.m.		Break


1:15 p.m.		Plenary Discussion: 21st Century Agriculture & Energy Moderator Presentation Dr. Neil E. Harl Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Emeritus Professor of Economics, Iowa State University Presentation Floyd E. Barwig Director, Iowa Energy Center Dr. David Morris Vice President, Institute for Local Self-Reliance Presentation Richard Pirog Marketing and Food Systems Research Program Leader, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University


2:45 p.m.		Questions & Answers/Audience Participation


3:15 p.m.		Break


3:30 p.m.		New State Initiatives of the State of Iowa - Great Places Presentation Anita Walker Director, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs


4:00 p.m.		Update on the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and its Impact on Rural America/Closing Conversation Helen K. Mirza Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Presentation Steven W. Kuehl Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

The Future of Economic Development in Rural America