The Georgia Cotton Commission is pleased to announce the guest speakers at the Commission\u2019s 10th Annual Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. The annual meeting is held in conjunction with the UGA Cotton Production Workshop conducted by the UGA Research & Extension Cotton Team.<\/p>\n
The UGA Cotton Production Workshop will feature breakout sessions where attendees will learn the latest technical production strategies from the researchers whose projects are funded by the Commission\u2019s research program. The Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting will follow the breakout sessions and feature speakers from several industry organizations.<\/p>\n
The program speakers are Reece Langley, Vice President of Washington Operations, National Cotton Council; Kater Hake, Vice President of Agricultural & Environmental Research, Cotton Incorporated; and Stacey Gorman, Director of Communications, The Cotton Board.<\/p>\n
Reece Langley assumed his role as Vice President of Washington Operations at the National Cotton Council in 2014. He is responsible for coordinating the Washington activities for the Council, which includes working with Congress and the Administration, to ensure the U.S. cotton industry\u2019s seven segments compete effectively and profitably in the global market. Prior to joining the Council, Langley was Vice President of Government Affairs for the USA Rice Federation. He also worked as a legislative assistant to Congressman Terry Everett (R-AL) prior to working for the USA Rice Federation.<\/p>\n
Kater Hake is the Vice President of Agricultural & Environmental Research at Cotton Incorporated. In this role, Hake is responsible for the cotton production research program, and leads a team of eight scientists who develop and support innovative problem-solving research to increase the profitability and sustainability of cotton farming in the U.S. Hake began his career at Cotton Incorporated in 2007. Previously, he was the Vice President of Technology Development at Delta and Pine Land Company. Hake received a Bachelor of Science degree in genetics and a Master of Science degree in agronomy from the University of California at Davis, and a Ph.D. in plant biology from the University of California at Riverside.<\/p>\n
Stacey Gorman is the Director of Communications at The Cotton Board. She joined the staff of The Cotton Board in 2008 after graduating from the University of Central Arkansas with degrees in Public Relations and Writing. Stacey leads the ongoing efforts of the Cotton Board Communications Department to keep cotton producers informed of the activities stemming from the Cotton Research and Promotion. She creates and implements The Cotton Board\u2019s advertising campaigns, manages social media, disseminates monthly grower newsletters and writes feature stories for Cotton Farming and Cotton Grower magazines. She is the Cotton Board Staff liaison to both Cotton Incorporated\u2019s Importer Support Program and Consumer Marketing Committee. She and her husband Brandon have two children, and live in Warren, Arkansas.<\/p>\n
Following the Annual Meeting speakers, the Commission will host lunch where sponsors will be recognized and door prizes will be given away. The meeting, production workshop, and lunch are open to not only cotton growers, but anyone interested in the cotton industry. The UGA Cotton Production Workshop breakout sessions will be repeated after lunch.<\/p>\n
There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at https:\/\/www.ugatiftonconference.org<\/a>\u00a0or call (229) 386-3416.<\/p>\n