USDA plans a June 27-28 conference in Kansas City, MO, to examine risk-management issues and strategies as they relate to alternative energy production and use in ag. The conference will focus on maximizing profits in a higher energy cost environment; renewable energy enterprises on the farm; protection against supply, production and price fluctuations for small alternative fuel production plants; new energy-related risk management tools; and government policies that encourage or accommodate new risk management strategies. Find more info or register at www.farmfoundation.org or www.usda.gov. -- P. Scott Shearer, Washington, D.C., correspondent