March 17, 2008


USDA – ARS and CSREES Aquaculture Program Planning Workshop


USDA ARS and CSREES will be convening an aquaculture program planning workshop in Kansas City, Missouri on April 15-16 to acquire stakeholder input to guide USDA aquaculture program development.

The success of this workshop is dependent on strong representation from private industry and others with first-hand knowledge of critical constraints and problems. A block of discounted rooms will be held for attendees of this workshop until March 31. For more insights on the program, please refer to the attached copy of the draft agenda. At this time, attendees can be accommodated on a first-come basis until limit on attendees based on conference budget constraints is reached.

For persons unable to attend this workshop, USDA asks that you record your comments on critical opportunities and problems by completing the attached Stakeholder Input Form and returning it as directed by April 10. Your written input will be acknowledged, in addition to the output from the workshop in developing the strategic plans for USDA aquaculture portfolios.

If you have questions about the workshop, please contact

Gary Jensen, CSREES National Program Leader, Aquaculture GJENSEN@CSREES.USDA.GOV
Tel: 202.401.6802

or

Jeff Silverstein, ARS National Program Leader, Aquaculture Jeff.Silverstein@ARS.USDA.GOV
Tel: 301.504.5925