Bayer Forum Narrows Gap Between Public and Food Production

Food system, science and agriculture experts gather to discuss the convergence of food and the future of agriculture

NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 1, 2016) – Advancing the conversation about the best ways to sustainably feed a growing population will be the overarching theme for the 2016 AgVocacy Forum, sponsored by Bayer. Representatives from agriculture and consumer media will hear from thought leaders in science, nutrition and sustainable food production at the invitation-only event on March 1-2, 2016.

Formerly Ag Issues Forum, AgVocacy Forum continues a decade-long tradition of bringing together a diverse mix of people, experience and opinions to exchange ideas and philosophies that help shape and influence modern agriculture. This year’s event will shine a spotlight on how being an “AgVocate” may help bridge the growing divide between consumers and those involved in food production.

“There are many challenges facing today’s food producer and perhaps none more important than building trust with consumers,” said David Hollinrake, vice president, marketing & portfolio management, Bayer. “We assembled experts at AgVocacy Forum to spark dialogue and bring focus to the steps needed to educate and engage a public that is increasingly detached from modern agriculture.”

Award-winning author and registered dietitian, Carolyn O’Neil, will help kick off the Forum with a keynote address to share her insights on consumer preferences driving food trends. The program will also feature 12-year-old Braeden Mannering who, while attending the “Kids’ State Dinner” at the White House, was challenged by First Lady Michelle Obama to “pay his experience forward.” Braeden’s response was to create Brae’s Brown Bags, which battles food insecurity by providing healthy snacks to homeless and low-income individuals.

Additional guest speakers include:

• Kavin Senapathy, author of The Fear Babe: Shattering Vani Hari's Glass House and regular contributor for Forbes.com
• Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills, a joint venture among Cargill, ConAgra Foods and CHS
• Josiah Zayner, CEO of The ODIN and former NASA bioscientist
• Charles Baron, co-founder and vice president of Farmers Business Network, a crowd-sourced program for data-driven agriculture

AgVocacy Forum will be moderated by Frank Sesno, director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University and a former CNN correspondent, anchor and Washington D.C. Bureau Chief.

In conjunction with the event, the Bayer Foundation is making a $10,000 donation to the Orleans Parish 4-H chapter and will work with the chapter to install a Feed a Bee pollinator garden at Ben Franklin Elementary.

Watch a live stream of the AgVocacy Forum at www.AgVocacyForum.com, and join the conversation by following @bayer4cropsus and using #AgVocate.

Bayer is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.CropScience.Bayer.us.

Visit the Bayer Connect - Social Hub for social media, recent news, blog posts, videos and more from Crop Science, a division of Bayer.

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Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.Contact:
Bayer Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or

Casey Allen
Senior Representative, External Communications
Crop Science, a Division of Bayer
(O) 919-549-2607
(C) 919-441-6039
(E) casey.allen@bayer.com

Cory Wightman
Deputy Director, External Communications
Crop Science, a Division of Bayer
(O) 919-549-2835
(C) 919-274-9970
(E) cory.wightman@bayer.com

Find more information at CropScience.Bayer.us.

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