The Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield will host a Forum on Agriculture and the Economy, this Thursday, March 12th, beginning at 7-p.m.. Grant Gerlock, a reporter for Iowa Public Radio who grew up on a farm near Cumberland, will moderate a panel of three local agriculturalists, farmers Rhonda Boehm and Dan Dreher, and ag lender Paul Nelson about their challenges in this rural economy.  Dr. Alejandro Plastina, professor of economics at Iowa State University, will then offer the keynote and will share his views of the impact of agriculture on the economy at the local, state, and national levels. After Dr. Plastina speaks, he and the agriculturists will answer questions from the audience related to ag and the economy, again moderated by Mr. Gerlock.

Whether you are a farmer, live in a rural area, or in the city, you are invited to learn more about how farmers are faring in this economy and what that means for our local communities, for Iowa, and for the U.S. There is no charge, but a free-will offering is appreciated. Soulshine Food Truck will be parked at the Warren Cultural Center, opening at 5:00 pm. The public is encouraged to purchase supper from Soulshine and go upstairs to the auditorium where tables are set and conversation is invited.