WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2007 ─ Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that Allan Hubbard, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council for the White House, will be the distinguished guest speaker for USDA's 2007 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Agriculture at the Crossroads: Energy, Farm and Rural Policy."

"Mr. Hubbard is an architect of the President's energy initiatives," said Johanns. "We are fortunate to have him and so many other leaders speak at our meeting to discuss the key issues, policy, and potential challenges surrounding energy and agriculture."

The Forum will be held March 1 and 2 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia

A full roster of Forum speakers, program, and registration are available at www.usda.gov/oce/forum Registration is $350.

Plenary speeches are Webcast after 3:30 p.m. EST on March 1, with speech and PowerPoint presentations posted online at the end of each day's session.

Writers, reporters, and editors may call Press Room Coordinator Priscilla Smith at 202-694-5022 or Forum Coordinator Brenda Chapin at 202-720-5447 for more details.