January 6, 2014

The 2014 Nebraska Dry Edible Bean Day will feature advice for producers, news about health benefits and using beans in other foods, updates on research, and reports from the state commission and U.S. Dry Bean Council.

Dry Edible Bean Day is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan.14, at the Gering Civic Center, sponsored by the Nebraska Dry Bean Growers Association (NDBGA). The doors and trade show open at 8 a.m. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. with welcome messages by NDBGA President Dean Keener and Gary Hergert, interim director of the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center.

In addition to the NDBGA annual meeting and lunch, the day’s agenda includes these topics and
presenters:

• “Best Practices of Best Producers,” presented by a panel of bean processors.
• “Threats to and Opportunities for Regional Bean Research and Extension,” Dr. Howard Schwartz of Colorado State University.
• Updates on UNL Research from Specialists Gary Hergert, Carlos Urrea and Jeff Bradshaw and Educators John Thomas and Jessica Johnson.
• “UNL’s Commitment to Nebraska’s Dry Bean Industry,” from Dr. Chuck Hibberd, dean and director of UNL Extension.
• Check Off Dollars, from Dave Howell NDBGA board member.
• Nebraska Dry Bean Commission report from Cindy Allen, Nebraska Dry Bean Commissioner, and Courtney Schuler of Stateline Cooperative.
• “Ingredient Applications of Dry Edible Beans,” Dr. Wajira Ratnayake, research assistant professor in agriculture/food science, UNL.
• “Why We Should Encourage People to Eat More Beans,” from Dr. Henry Thompson, CSU Cancer Prevention Lab.
• “Consumption Trends and Innovations,” from Jeanne Wharton, Executive Director of U.S. Dry Bean Council.