National Equine Issues Forum to Be Held November 6-7-8 in Harrisburg, PA
Posted:
November 6-7-8, 2009 Equine Issues Forum, PA Equine Council Annual Meeting and SHCAC Fall Meetings
This year, the PA Equine Council is happy to announce that we are hosting the American Horse Council’s State Horse Council Advisory Committee (SHCAC) fall meeting in conjunction with the PEC and Penn State University’s Fall Issues Forum and PEC Annual Meeting, November 6, 7 and 8, 2009 at the Holiday Inn East in Harrisburg, PA. The SHCAC meets twice a year, once in June during the AHC Issues Forum in Washington, DC and again, in the fall in a SHCAC participating state.
The three day program will begin on Friday with area tours (EBY trailer plant and area farms) and socials Saturday will focus on an educational forum. Sunday will consist of the annual meetings for the SHCAC and the Pennsylvania Equine Council. The general public is invited there will be three registration rates: $75 per person for the three day program, $25 per person for the Saturday educational forum only, Special rates for PEC members attending the annual meeting luncheon.
The itinerary for the educational forum will focus on the topic of Equine Environmental Stewardship and ‘Is Your Farm Green’. Again, renowned speakers from across the country will come to present topics on the most current issues facing the equine industry. The Environmental Issues Forum (Nov 7 starting at 9am -4pm) will focus on several new nutrient management regulations that are now regulating the equine industry. Management issues such as, Equine parasite de-wormer resistance will be presented. Several speakers from the Penn State University’s Chesapeake Bay Targeted Watershed Project will help horse owners understand how they fit into the state regulations.
Some of the speakers and their topics are a follows:
Wendy E Vaala, VMD, Sr. Equine Technical Service Veterinarian, Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health- Neonatal and Parasite Resistance
Ann Swinker, PhD State Extension Horse Specialist, Penn State University – Manure and Bedding the Renewable Resource
Suzette Truax, South Central Grazing Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - Healthy Horse Environments; Month to Month Calendar Guide
Donna Faulk Forage/Agronomist, PSU Extension Educator, - How to Set Goals for Your Pastures
Amy C. Skvarka, Nutrient Management Specialist, Cumberland Valley Cooperative, - Horse Keeping on Limited Acres, and Who needs a Nutrient Management Plan
Frank Schneider PA Dept. of Environmental Protection, and Michael Brubaker, State Conservation Commission, Pa Dept of Agriculture. - Horse Farms and Water Quality Regulations, Act 38 Nutrient Management Plan
Jana Malot, State Resource Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service- Finding Matching Conservation Funds for an Equine Operation
Burt Staniar, PhD Penn State University Assistant Professor of Equine Science - Grasses, Sugars and Laminitis, Penn State University Assistant Professor of Equine Science
The PEC is excited about hosting the SHCAC meeting during our state horse educational event. It will be held the same weekend as the PEC’s Annual Meeting and Issues Forum. The schedule will allow PEC members as well as county and regional directors to attend a day of informational presentations from some of the leaders in our industry followed by a day focused on topics relevant to Pennsylvania.
Responding to requests from past years, this year the PEC’s Annual Meeting (Nov. 8 starting at 9:30 am – 2pm) will look at issues that county and regional directors deal with including local meetings, membership, developing a speaker’s bureau and understanding the mission of the PEC.
Diane Lesher, President of Equisure Insurance, provider of the personal excess liability insurance available to PEC PLUS members, will speak about the dimensions of the insurance and answer any questions directors may have about the insurance.
Rob Hoffa, President of the PEC will cover legislative issues, the development of a PA Equine Caucus, current legislative efforts on equine structure codes and how to encourage member participation in the Pennsylvania Congressional Cavalry.
Vice-president Skip Siefert will address the use by county and regional directors of the Equine Education Station which is targeted toward new and potential horse owners and available for use at fairs and other agricultural events.
During the 2009 annual meeting, the regional, county directors and volunteers will be able to interact in round table discussions allowing a free flow of suggestions and exchange of information. In a further effort to help county and regional directors, Joan Pauley, Secretary/Treasurer will address the basic issues of membership requirements, how to qualify for membership incentives paid to county chapters, the e-directory and the possible development of a ‘directors only’ page on the PEC website.
More information about the 2009 Equine Issues Forum and Annual PEC Meeting, including registration forms, schedules and more, can be found at the PEC web site, http://www.pennsylvaniaequinecouncil.com or by calling Dr Ann Swinker at 814-865-7810 or by email aswinker@psu.edu.