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The RAIN (Research, Agriculture, Industry and Nature) Conference III, exploring the topic "Value Added Products For Retained Profit," will be held at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence on Jan. 25 and 26, 2007. The event is free to the public, but registration is required.

The conference will include discussions and presentations concerning the advantages provided by the newly formed statewide growers cooperative, Carolina Agri-Solutions Growers Association. The conference follows RAIN I and II, which focused on economic and agricultural opportunities associated with nutraceuticals and muscadine grapes, respectively.

Speakers for the conference include Valgene Dunham, distinguished professor emeritus of Coastal Carolina University; Greg Hyman of Hyman Vineyards, Conway; Ann Irvin of Irvin House Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island; Representative Dwight Loftis of Greenville; Jody Martin of the Florence County Extension-Clemson University; Andrew Post of Post Familie Vineyards, Altus, Arkansas; Jack Shuler of Arbor One; Professors Steve Talcott and Susanne Mertens-Talcott of Texas A&M University; Debbie Turbeville of USDA Rural Development; Hugh Weathers, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture; and Greg White of SC USDA.

The conference is sponsored by South Carolina EPSCoR/IdeA, Coastal Carolina University, Clemson University, Francis Marion University, Hyman Vineyards and Integrated Environmental Technologies.

For a registration form and additional information on RAIN III, contact Kathlene Sullivan at (843) 349-6547.