Matlock Taking Part in U.S.D.A. Workshop on Agricultural Coexistence

Photo by Russell Cothren

Marty Matlock

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Marty Matlock, executive director of the Office for Sustainability, is an invited participant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Stakeholder Workshop on Coexistence, March 12-13 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. The purpose of the workshop is to advance understanding of agricultural coexistence – the concurrent cultivation of conventional, organic, identity preserved, and genetically engineered crops consistent with farmer choices and consumer preferences. Workshop participants will discuss opportunities for achieving coexistence and explore interests and concerns of all stakeholders.

The workshop is the product of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s Advisory Committee of Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture.  Matlock was appointed to the committee in 2011, and was re-appointed for an additional two-year term in 2014. The members met over 2011-2012 to explore concerns and opportunities for coexistence. The committee issued a report in November 2012 that included a set of recommended actions by the USDA to support conflict resolution between agricultural producers across the technology spectrum.

Participants in the workshop will explore three issues:

1. The current state of coexistence
2. Knowledge gaps, challenges, and the U.S.D.A.’s responses so far to the committee’s recommendations
3. Additional steps the U.S.D.A. is considering to respond to the challenges.

Stakeholders representing industry, farmers, government, and academia will work to expand their understanding of coexistence-related issues and raise questions, voice concerns, and share their expertise and insights about addressing the challenges of coexistence.

Information about the workshop and links to podcasts of deliberations are available to the public.