News & Views

Organic Seed Alliance calls for Input and Proposals for 5th Biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference

Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) recently announced the 5th Organic Seed Growers Conference, to be held February 14-15, 2008 at the Salem Convention Center in Salem, Oregon. The Organic Seed Growers Conference, co-hosted by OSA, Oregon State University (OSU) and Washington State University (WSU), is the largest meeting of seed professionals engaged in organic seed production, research, and plant breeding in the United States. The event brings together producers, university extension and researchers, seed industry professionals, and food industry participants from across the country. Past conference topics have included seed pathology, seed biology, breeding for nutrition, breeding for ecological complexity, seed economics and marketing, and presentations from experienced organic seed producers. Conference attendees receive practical information, cutting edge research, and inspired stories from the field. The public call for input and proposals of presentations or posters is open through June 1st, 2007. The 2008 conference will also feature a one day pre-conference Short Course on the Fundamentals of Organic Seed Production to be held on February 13, 2008.

Please visit http://www.seedalliance.org for more information or to learn about opportunities for sponsorships and vendor booths.

Pollinator Populations at Risk

Long-term population trends for some North American pollinators—bees, birds, bats, and other animals and insects that spread pollen so plant fertilization can occur—are "demonstrably downward," says a recent report from the National Research Council. Research indicates that shortages of pollinators for agriculture already exist and that decreases in wild pollinator populations could disrupt ecosystems in the future.

The report notes that much more data has been gathered on pollinators in Europe, where researchers have definitively documented declines and even extinctions. Nevertheless, there was sufficient evidence for the committee to conclude that some North American species are in decline, especially the honeybee. Honeybees are crucial to agriculture, pollinating more than 90 commercially grown crops.

To learn more about this important issue visit http://www.pollinator.org/ For the full press release from the National Academy of Science and a link to the full report, go to http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11761

Keyline Design Workshops & Lectures in Southern California with Leading Permaculturist Darren Doherty April 21–May 4, 2007

The Keyline Design Courses (KDC) in Southern California will be an intensive blend of technical and practical sessions and are targeted at professional land managers & consultants, earthmovers & anybody interested in practical and cost-effective broadscale landscape restoration. The KDC's will outline all of the principles and techniques involved with the modern, practical application of Keyline Design.

Courses will include a six day Workshop Intensive in Goleta, CA (near Santa Barbara), a two day Course in Cuyama, CA (near Ojai), and a one day Course in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Keyline systems of water and soil conservation were developed in Australia during the 1950s by P.A. Yeomans as a response to increasing desertification and erosion of the landscape. Keyline is a set of principles and techniques based on a whole systems approach that works with natural patterns to restore or increase the depth and fertility of the soil, while increasing its water holding capabilities.

For more information contact the Santa Barbara Permaculture network online at http://www.sbpermaculture.org/upcoming.html

8th International Permaculture Conference

The 8th International Permaculture Conference and the following Convergence (IPC8) will be held in Brazil in May 2007. The Conference theme will be Greening our Economy with the Principles of Permaculture. Over forty countries will be participating and an internationally prominent panel of presenters will be focusing on designing the dynamic economies capable of challenging the specter of global warming and peak oil.

The international umbrella organization responsible for the event will be Permacultura America Latina (PAL), which is a USA registered 501(c)3 non-profit that has been working in Central and South America since 1989. The director for IPC8 is renowned permaculturist and teacher Ali Sharif. See his Director's blog.

For more information visit www.ipc8.org