The Diversity, Directions and Dollars 2014 agricultural forum is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Ramada Inn Grand Dakota Lodge in Dickinson, N.D. The 18th annual event features internationally known speakers on topics affecting agriculture in the western Dakotas and eastern Montana.

The keynote speaker is Jolene Brown, a farmer and author from West Branch, Iowa. Her talk is titled "If we huff and puff, will we blow your house down?"

Dennis Todey, South Dakota climatologist, will give a presentation on the record wet fall and what it means for the 2014 growing season. Todey has conducted research on long-term climate trends and climate-yield relationships throughout the Midwest.

John Nowatzki, NDSU Extension Service machine systems specialist, will discuss apps for producers. With more producers using smart phones, Nowatzki will show how apps are a wise choice.

Emmett Lampert, Winfield regional agronomist, will give a talk on how soybeans might fit into a crop rotation in southwestern North Dakota and Andrew Friskrop, NDSU Extension plant pathologist, will provide ideas on how producers can deal with disease pressures.

In addition, Dwight Aakre, NDSU Extension farm management specialist, will discuss flexible farm leases.

The registration is $15 to cover all breaks, a noon lunch and materials. The fee is payable at the door.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.