This one-day conference is designed to inform individuals from the private sector involved in agriculture, as well as law enforcement, how the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Federal Government would respond to an Agroterrorism incident within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Program Agenda:
(Times/Speakers Subject to Change)

8am - 9am Registration and Continental Breakfast

9am Welcome and Introduction
Michael Morehart, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Richmond Office
The Honorable Todd P. Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry

9:20am Agroterrorism – Why Should We Care?
Karen Gruszynski, DVM, MPH, PhD, Veterinary Epidemiologist, Virginia Department of Health

9:40am Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Capabilities
Don Butts, DVM, Emergency Services Manager, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

10:20am FDA Criminal Investigations
George Hughes, Office of Criminal Investigations, FDA

10:45am Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services Capabilities
Denise Toney, PhD, Lead Scientist, Division of Consolidated Laboratories

11:10 Agriculture and Food Vulnerability Assessments
William Pierson, DVM, Hospital Director, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Larry Edwards, Regional Retail Food Specialist, FDA

11:55am Lunch (provided on-site by VDACS and FBI)

12:15pm The Profile of a Terrorist
Shawn VanSlyke, Unit Chief, Behavioral Analysis Unit, FBI

1:35pm Domestic Terrorism in Virginia
Mark Sykes, Special Agent, Richmond Division, FBI

2:15pm FBI – Weapons of Mass Destruction Operations
Scott Metcalf, Special Agent, Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI Richmond
Jason Freed, Special Agent, Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI Norfolk
Terry Kerns, Unit Chief, Hazardous Materials Response Unit, Laboratory Division, FBI

3:30pm Breakout Sessions (60 minutes each)

Animal Health Capabilities
Richard Wilkes, DVM, State Veterinarian and Director, Division of Animal and Food Industry Services, VDACS
Terry Taylor, DVM, Area Veterinarian In Charge, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Services/Veterinary Services
Christopher Robinson, Senior Special Agent, USDA Office of Inspector General Emergency Response Team

Food Safety Capabilities
Ryan Davis, Program Manager, Office of Dairy and Foods, VDACS
George Hughes, Office of Criminal Investigation, FDA 
Larry Edwards, Regional Retail Food specialist, FDA

Plant Protection Capabilities
Larry Nichols, Program Manager, Office of Plant and Pest Services, VDACS
Bernetta Barco, State Plant Health Director, Animal Plant Health Inspection Services/Plant Protection and Quarantine

4:30pm Adjourn

The conference is presented by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the FBI Norfolk/Richmond.  Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, Virginia is sponsoring and hosting the event.