WASHINGTON — Janey Thornton, deputy undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture will address the 35th annual convention of the Independent Bakers Association. The group meets June 17-19 at the Washington Court hotel in Washington. Other speakers scheduled to address the group include Benjamin Friedman of the Cato Institute, who will speak about national security issues. A panel on wheat biotechnology will feature Molly Cline of Monsanto and Daren Coppock, chief executive officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers. A food safety panel will feature Ron Vail of AIB International and Craig Henry of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Anne Giesecke of A&D Policy Analysis will speak on environmental issues and Jim Hess of Horizon Milling will offer a wheat market update. Gentry Collins, political director of the Republic National Committee will address I.B.A. members at the BakePAC reception, and Brian Darling, director of senate relations at the Heritage Foundation, will speak at the BakePAC dinner.