Futurist Views on Ag Trends and More
On Thursday afternoon, November 1, our Fall Convention attendees will hear from one of the highest rated speakers on trends in agriculture and consumer spending.
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Lowell Catlett, who is often billed as a “futurist”, is quick to admit that no one really knows the future, and that experts like economists, political scientists and generals are no better than the general public at predicting financial trends, politics, or wars.
This is not the first time we have invited Dr. Catlett to speak to our Association. We have ask him to return because of his unique ability to deliver timely and sometimes complex information in an easy-to-understand, engaging and humorous presentation.
A true optimist, Catlett looks beyond headlines that tout gloom, fear and failure. He sees a world where wealth continues to exist, consumers with disposable income continue to demand more of everything and a great future for agriculture.
Catlett is a Regent’s Professor/Dean and Chief Administrative Officer at New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Lowell Catlett received his doctorate in Economics from Iowa State University, and has twice received the Don C. Roush Award for Excellence in Teaching. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Burlington Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Outstanding University Teaching. In 1994 he was one of two Western Regional recipients of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges “Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award.”
He recently received the College of Agriculture and Home Economics Advisor of the Year as well as Teacher of the Year at New Mexico State University. He was one of six senior faculty members to be named New Mexico State’s first Regents Professors.
He is the author of numerous books and articles and won the university’s highest award to a professor, the Westhafer Award. He works nationally and internationally with corporations and organizations doing futuristic planning concerning the impacts of technology on careers, lifestyles and the economy. Dr. Catlett also works with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Labor, Interior, Defense, Education, Energy and the World Bank. He has been a visiting professor or delivered invited presentations at over 75 universities including Harvard, MIT, Cornell and the University of Illinois.