North Dakota Ag Connection - 63rd Flax Institute Set for March 25-26 in Fargo

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63rd Flax Institute Set for March 25-26 in Fargo
North Dakota Ag Connection - 03/10/2010

The 63rd Flax Institute will take place on March 25-26 at the Doublewood Inn in Fargo.

In 2009, 293,000 acres of flax were harvested in North Dakota, which is 93 percent of all the acres planted in the U.S. Flax has gained popularity as a food source because of its beneficial characteristics.

North Dakota State University has been the lead university in organizing the biannual Flax Institute.

"The aim of the Flax Institute is to bring national and international researchers with an interest in flax together to share and learn about flax research," says Hans Kandel, NDSU Extension Service agronomist for broadleaf crops. "The topics covered during the event range from the effects of feeding flax on beef and dairy cows and human health effects of flax seed consumption to flax production issues."

Those interested in scientific presentations are encouraged to attend the meeting. Registration will start at 7:30 a.m. on March 25. The program begins at 8:15 a.m.

Jim Hammond, NDSU flax breeder and president of the Flax Institute, invites participants to informally share their interest in flax during the dinner on Thursday evening. The Flax Institute will conclude with a short business meeting after lunch on Friday.

There is a registration fee of $100 to cover breaks, lunch, dinner and the scientific presentation material. Those wishing to attend can register early by going to www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~hammond/dept/flaxinst/ or contacting Lisa at the NDSU Plant Sciences Department at (701) 231-7122.