The 2009 Northwest Regional Co-op annual meeting and educational seminar, sponsored by the Cooperative Councils of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, is set for Nov. 11-13 at the Red Lion Downtowner in Boise.

The highlights of the meetings will be presentations by Kansas State University agricultural economics professors David Barton and Michael Boland.

Barton has conducted cooperative-related research studies in financial performance, equity management, loss handling, governance and unification and has prepared several case studies on cooperative agribusiness.

Boland's work involves food and agribusiness firms and he has co-authored more than 50 case studies on agribusiness.

Both presentations will take place Wednesday, Nov. 11.

The Thursday, Nov. 12, guest speaker is Rick Stott of AgriBeef in Boise. A reception and awards banquet will follow that evening.

Friday, Nov. 13, will include a meeting of state council boards of directors.

The meetings will wrap up with an update on Northwest agriculture by Jay Penick, president and CEO of Northwest Farm Credit Services.

For information or to register, call 360-280-6710.

-- Carol Ryan Dumas