It's always an exciting time when we gather for another USAIN conference: the anticipation of hearing presentations by our colleagues and invited speakers; the renewal of friendships and the making of new ones; the time for exploring new interests and host locations. All these opportunities and more await us here in Burlington Vermont at the 14th Biennial Conference of the United States Agricultural Information Network. The conference planners have prepared for us a packed agenda around the theme "Sustainable Agriculture: Stewardship of Our Information Ecosystem." USAIN is an all-volunteer organization and it takes many hands, minds, and bodies to put together a conference. Please take a moment to thank our conference co-chairs, Elizabeth Berman and Val Minson; in fact, take several moments because this is a monumental job which they have performed with grace and inspiration. We also express our deep appreciation to our members and to our local hosts who have chaired committees, participated in planning, made local arrangements, and attended to all the tasks, large and small, that go into creating a stimulating conference. We also want to thank the sponsors and exhibitors who contribute to the success of this conference through their financial support and their participation in the programs.
During the past year, we have been celebrating the 25th anniversary of USAIN. We began by creating a commemorative pin and we will conclude with a special banquet on Tuesday night. In 1988, a group of people had a vision of a network of professionals dedicated to making agricultural information available to users. Twenty-five years later, members of USAIN still respond to our mission by developing activities that further the "stewardship of our information ecosystem." It is conferences like this one that keep our organization vital and engaging.
Enjoy your time in Vermont!
During the past year, we have been celebrating the 25th anniversary of USAIN. We began by creating a commemorative pin and we will conclude with a special banquet on Tuesday night. In 1988, a group of people had a vision of a network of professionals dedicated to making agricultural information available to users. Twenty-five years later, members of USAIN still respond to our mission by developing activities that further the "stewardship of our information ecosystem." It is conferences like this one that keep our organization vital and engaging.
Enjoy your time in Vermont!
Connie Britton USAIN President | Valrie Minson USAIN President-Elect | Eileen Herring USAIN Past-President |