The Sixth Annual Ag Management Expo of Southeast Nebraska will took place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, on the Beatrice Campus of Southeast Community College.

The event was free to the public, and lunch was free to the first 200 people. Tickets were available at the door.

The event featured a number of renowned speakers. Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, ag economist at Kansas State University, delivered the keynote address. He talked about the big picture – Macroeconomic Forces Affecting U.S. Agriculture.” Flinchbaugh also talked about Ag Hot Issues of the Day.

Another speaker was Brian Fuchs, climatologist with the University of Nebraska. He talked about  the Weather Outlook and Drought Status for the 2012 Growing Season. Pete McClymont, president of We Support Agriculture and vice president of legislative affairs for the Nebraska Cattlemen,presented The Truth About Animal Rights Activism.

Also at the Expo were Ag-related Business Booth. Some of those booths were Penner Insurance, Twin River, Agrigold, and etc.

“I really like coming to this Expo because it is a different opportunity to learn more about the program I am going into.” Said SCC student Katie Ropers of Sargent, Ne.

Flinchbaugh has taught at Kansas State since 1971, focusing on national agricultural and economic policy. He has authored more than 100 publications, including an agricultural policy textbook.  He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. at Purdue University.

Flinchbaugh has led Kansas Agricultural People-to-People tours to the Soviet Union, China, the South Pacific, and Africa. He is a recipient of the prestigious Hildreth Award for career achievement in public policy education, as well as distinguished service awards from the American Farm Bureau Federation and the American Agricultural Editors Association.

Most recently, Flinchbaugh was one of two KSU faculty members who received the inaugural Wildcat Pride Award, recognizing K-State faculty or staff who have been instrumental in advancing the mission of the K-State Alumni Association through support of its programs.

The Expo was cosponsored by SCC and the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce, with assistance from Monsanto.