Gov. Deal to speak at International Agribusiness Conference and Expo

As Georgia farmers and agricultural leaders look at options to expand their businesses, they will hear from Gov. Nathan Deal on how to capitalize on exports through the Port of Savannah. Gov. Deal will deliver an address on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. on the opening day of the International Agribusiness Conference and Expo (IACE) at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.

“Georgia is extremely fortunate to be home to the Port of Savannah, the fastest-growing port in the U.S.,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “We have trucks and trains from all over the state that can transport the produce and products of Georgia farmers to the port. This conference will provide key information to help them discover export opportunities, grow their farming businesses and tap into a global market.” This is the inaugural year for IACE which is co-sponsored by Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The conference runs Sept. 25-26  and will feature a variety of speakers focusing on agricultural and trade issues. There is also a pre-conference farm tour that includes the Claxton Fruit Cake Company, the Vidalia Onion Vegetable Research Center and Mascot Pecans along with a post-conference tour of the Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal. “The agriculture and shipping industries are critical to the vitality of Georgia’s economy,” explained Vice President for Research and Economic Development Charles Patterson, Ph.D. “Agricultural exports and the shipping industry are vital to Georgia’s economy, with the state realizing $37.9 billion in exports in the year 2012.  Many of these agricultural goods, some 39%, were exported through the Port of Savannah alone.  The Agribusiness Conference and Expo will provide participants with greater knowledge of how these industries are so integrally linked and how they should be part of any successful business strategy.” Visit academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ce/conferences/iace/ to learn more about the International Agribusiness Conference and Expo. Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.