Conference on Agriculture and Food Systems
Conference Videos
Animal Agriculture
Federal Farm Policy
Genetically Modified Organisms
Keynote Address
Public Health
Vermont Agriculture
Water Quality
About the 2012 Conference
This conference marked the official launch of the law school's new Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, and brought national experts and leaders in the field together to address the major legal and policy issues related to agriculture and food systems. The conference featured speakers with diverse backgrounds, specialties, professions and points of view on issues concerning food and public health, sustainable animal agriculture, public regulation of genetically modified organisms, agriculture and water quality, localizing food, and the future of agriculture production nationally and here in Vermont.
About the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
Operating under the leadership of America's top-ranked environmental law program and nationally recognized faculty with deep expertise in our country's agriculture and food systems, the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School will train the next generation of legal advocates in the field, adding desperately needed resources to the communities and organizations working to address the special complexities posed by local, sustainable, community-based agriculture. Vermont Law School is uniquely poised to take on this challenge. Our state's tradition-rich small- and mid-scale farms are among national leaders in the effort to implement a sustainable system.
For more information, contact the Environmental Law Center's associate director at 802-831-1338.
2012 Conference Schedule
8:30-8:45
Welcome and Introductions
Marc Mihaly, President and Dean
Vermont Law School
8:45-10:00
Agriculture and Water Quality
Robert Adler
James I. Farr Chair in Law
University of Utah S. J. Quinney College of Law
Jan Laitos
John A. Carver Jr. Professor of Law
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
David Mears JD/MSL ′91
Commissioner
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
10:00-11:15
Public Health Issues Related to Food Production and Consumption
Laurie Beyranevand ′03
Associate Professor of Law
Vermont Law School
Lisa Heinzerling
Professor of Law
Georgetown University Law Center
Dr. Urvashi Rangan
Director of the Consumer Safety and Sustainability Group
Consumer Reports
11:15-12:30PM
Public Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms
Rebecca Bratspies
Professor of Law
CUNY School of Law
Dr. Margaret Mellon
Senior Scientist, Food and Environment Program
Union of Concerned Scientists
David Wirth
Professor
Boston College Law School
12:30-1:15
Lunch
Please join us for a delicious, locally sourced meal.
1:15-2:00
Keynote Address
Kathleen A. Merrigan
Deputy Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
2:00-3:15
Sustainable Animal Agriculture
Dr. Lauren Gwin
Co-coordinator, Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network
Research Associate, Oregon State College of Agricultural Sciences
Michelle Nowlin
Senior Lecturing Fellow and Supervising Attorney for the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
Duke Law School
David Wolfson
Partner
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
3:15-3:30
Coffee Break
3:30-4:45
The Future of Federal Farm Policy
Chris Adamo ′04
Staff Director
U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
Helen Dombalis
Policy Associate
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Bill Eubanks LLM ′08
Associate, Meyer, Glitzenstein & Crystal
Summer Faculty, Vermont Law School
4:45-6:00
Vermont Agriculture: Creating a Prototype for the Nation
Tom Berry
Legislative Aide
U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
Alison Hooper
Cofounder
Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery
Chuck Ross
Secretary
Vermont Department of Agriculture
Helen Whybrow
Farm and Food Programs Manager
Center for Whole Communities
Clark Hinsdale
President,
Vermont Farm Bureau
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