[Nicholasville, Ky.] – Outlining a plan to elevate Kentucky’s economy, Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Kentucky-based Alltech, will speak at various locations throughout the state as part of a tour to promote innovation in agriculture. The theme for the tour is 'Vision 2010: Fueling the Future of Rural Kentucky.'

During his presentation, Dr. Lyons will talk about Alltech’s Rural Community Biorefinery concept – the first such model in North America – that integrates feed, food and fuel production. In addition, this groundbreaking plant will be the first in the United States to utilize cellulose as a significant percentage of its raw material, paving the way for Kentucky to build a new economy.

"Alltech has an exciting vision of what the future of agriculture in Kentucky, and ultimately the United States, can look like and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share that," Dr. Lyons explained. "I really believe that Kentucky can become a global leader in advanced agriculture. We have an opportunity to position ourselves as the Silicon Valley of the agriculture industry and to energize our rural community in the process."

The presentation will also touch on the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010™ and the impact the event will have on Kentucky.

"The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are a phenomenal chance for our entire state – not just Lexington - to show a global audience what a special place Kentucky is," Dr. Lyons said.

The dates and locations for the tour will be:

October 8, 2007
St. Catharine College,
Springfield, KY
8-9:30 a.m. EDT

Owensboro Community and Technical College-
Blandford Lecture Hall, Humanities Building
Owensboro, KY
12-1:30 p.m. CDT

Bowling Green Technical Center at Kentucky Transpark,
Bowling Green, KY
5-6:30 p.m. CDT

October 9, 2007
West Kentucky Community and Technical College,
Crouse 101-Auditorium,
Paducah, KY
8-9:30 a.m. CDT

Madisonville Community College-Glema Mahr Center for the Arts,
Madisonville, KY
12-1:30 p.m. CDT

Hopkinsville Community College
Auditorium Lecture Hall
Hopkinsville, KY
5-6:30 p.m. CDT

October 10
Center for Rural Development, Meeting Rooms A-B-C,
Somerset,
8-9:30 a.m. EDT

Hazard Community and Technical College-Hazard Campus-First Federal Center
Hazard, KY
12-1:30 p.m. EDT

Morehead Conference Center, Exhibit Hall #1,
Morehead, KY
4:30-6 p.m. EDT

October 11
East Kentucky Expo Center, Meeting Rooms A and B
Pikeville, KY
8-9:30 a.m. EDT

Ashland Community and Technical College-College Drive Campus,
Ashland, KY
12-1:30 p.m. EDT

Maysville Community and Technical College-Calvert Center,
Maysville, KY
5-6:30 p.m. EDT

These events are free and open to the public. For more information please contact Lori Metcalf at 859-881-2265 or lmetcalf@alltech.com