Farm equipment users can tune into UN global town hall

Farm equipment users can log on to watch a global town hall.
Farm equipment users can log on to watch a global town hall.
A global town hall that is part of the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity will be held at Iowa State University on October 12.

The event, which should interest users of farm equipment, will feature U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who will offer opening remarks. The purpose of the town hall is to examine biodiversity preservation and sustainable agriculture.

The featured panel will include farmers from across the world and will be broadcast on the internet. People will be able to submit questions through a variety of means, including email, two-way video and social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Orion Samuelson, who hosts a syndicated show about agriculture, will act as a facilitator for the town hall meeting, which will last from 10 to 11 a.m. It will be held at the university's Ames campus at the Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium, located in Howe Hall.

Last year, the Obama administration held its own town hall meetings that were held in rural parts of the country. The purpose of these gatherings was to hear the concerns of residents regarding communication efforts with Washington, D.C.