Agriculture is by far the largest consumer of fresh water on the planet, and is fully dependent on a sustainable supply of quality water. Therefore, it is critical that agricultural researchers, food and fiber producers, and agriculture-related industries are fully aware of the many facets of their activities that impact water sustainability.

Water-related issues are central to many themes in agriculture, including efficient water use, coping with drought, water rights, and environmental impacts. These and other issues will be explored at NABC’s 24th annual conference, Water Sustainability in Agriculture, hosted in Fayetteville, Ark., by the University of Arkansas, June 11–13, 2012.

Speakers at NABC 24 will include leading experts in areas of sustainability, water use in crops, and water-agriculture issues. The program is centered on active discussion and will also include focused consideration of future challenges. In addition, NABC 24 will have poster sessions, providing attendees an organized opportunity to present their own research findings. Topics for the program major sessions will include:

• Adaptation and mitigation of water needs in food and fiber production (including biotechnological approaches, water delivery and distribution, and plant/animal physiological approaches)

• Water management, policy and regulatory issues (covering flood and drought management, field methodology, economic considerations, and sustainable practices)

• The changing role of agriculture in environmental responses (including watershed protection, environmental impacts and stress factors, and consumer needs)

• Responding to future challenges of water issues in agriculture (with consideration of worldwide needs, changing climates and consumption and global change patterns)

Details regarding meeting registration, travel, and accommodations will be forthcoming via the NABC meeting website.

The meeting location in northwest Arkansas is easily accessible by air travel, and offers a wealth of activities beyond the meeting. The newly opened Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is located in nearby Bentonville, and houses a world-class collection covering colonial to contemporary artworks in an architecturally stunning setting. The vacation and arts destination of Eureka Springs is less than a one hour drive away, and outdoor activities abound in the nearby Ozark Mountains. We look forward to seeing you in Fayetteville.

Please direct questions regarding NABC 24 to: Ken Korth and Rick Bennett, Program Committee co-Chairs, (479) 575-2447, [email protected] or [email protected].