News & Views

Growing public awareness of pesticide use hazards and new legislation mandating least toxic and non-toxic alternatives are fueling a new market opportunity for professionals with knowledge of organic land care. This 30-hour course for professionals will provide the education needed for an understanding of organic land care design and maintenance. The curriculum is based on NOFA’s Standards for Organic Land Care. At the end of the course attendees will be able to incorporate methods and materials that respect natural ecology and the long-term health of the environment.

An optional exam will be given at the conclusion of the course. Those who pass the exam can become NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals. A list of these professionals and their services is widely distributed throughout the region in NOFA’s Guide to Organic Land Care and on its website. Annual reaccreditation is granted based on continued demonstration of competence in organic land care.

17th Annual Practical Tools and
Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference
Dates: January 16–19, 2008
Location: Galt House Hotel and Suites, Louisville, Kentucky
www.ssawg.org

The conference will have a wide variety of sessions on sustainable agriculture topics, including: direct marketing through CSAs, farmers’ markets, and online; vegetable and flower production; eggs, goat, rabbit and beef production; business practices; federal farm policies and farm programs; community food systems; and more. Eight sessions will run concurrently throughout the two-day conference. To help make it easier for attendees to choose among the selection of sessions, one session from each time slot is being offered at another time on the program as well.

Oregon Tilth's 33rd Annual Conference
Dates: January 18-19, 2008
Location: Salem Conference Center, Salem, Oregon
www.tilth.org
           
Organic integrity is a concern that many share. This year’s conference will offer a rich variety of topics relevant to anyone involved with food systems, organic agriculture and livestock, sustainability, advocacy, and many other issues. It is also an opportunity for consumers and the general public to learn about sustainable agriculture and organic food production. They have planned topical symposia and roundtable discussions, practical workshops, and an engaging roster of speakers. Enjoy an organic wine tasting, gourmet meals prepared with local, organic ingredients, and the company of others involved in sustainable and organic agriculture.

Food Safety for Organic Production and
Handling of Fresh Produce Conference
Dates: January 21-23, 2008
Location: Asilomar Conference Center,
Pacific Grove, California
www.ccof.org

Food safety is top of mind in the wake of recent outbreaks, recalls and regulatory action surrounding fresh produce. These developments have stirred up spirited debate as to what actions are most appropriate to minimize food safety risks now that produce is a focus of the national food safety discussion.

Growers, industry and research professionals have collaborated to create a two-day course on the topic of Food Safety for Organic Production and Handling of Fresh Produce, with content customized specifically to address the needs and concerns of organic growers and handlers.

Ecological Farming Conference, Root Values:
Connecting Ecology, Community and the Land
Dates: January 23-26, 2008
Location: Pacific Grove, California
www.eco-farm.org

This annual four-day winter forum is the world's foremost sustainable agriculture conference. "Eco-Farm" features prominent keynote speakers and more than 50 workshops on the latest advances in agricultural production, marketing, research, and important issues. It provides a unique opportunity to exchange vital information with people from around the world while renewing your spirit at historic Asilomar on California's magnificent Monterey coast.

The 27th Annual Guelph Organic Conference
Dates: January 24-27, 2008
Location: Guelph University Centre, Guelph, Ontario
www.guelphorganicconf.ca

Highlighting - 'The Business of Organics' which shows successful Canadian organic businesses and co-ops striving for TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE: economic, social and environmental sustainability

7th annual Texas Conference
On Organic Production Systems
Dates: February 1-3, 2008
Location: College Station, Texas
www.tofga.org

The 8th annual conference facilitated by the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (www.tofga.org) brings together the latest production systems for Texas and the South. Hear from the farmers, ranchers, consultants, organizers, chefs and national leaders that are making a difference in the local food revolution. Learn the latest in organic growing and sustainable agriculture, tour local farms, eat local food, enjoy a movie screening, trade show and return home inspired by others on how to successfully bring local food to your community.

Ready to Grow: Sharing the Sustainable Story (PASA’s 17th Annual Farming for the Future Conference)
Dates: February 7-9, 2008
Location: State College, Pennsylvania
www.pasafarming.org

The theme for the 2008 Farming for the Future conference, Ready To Grow: Sharing the Sustainable Story was developed by PASA's all volunteer conference planning committee. Keynote speakers include environmental activist Diane Wilson, author of "An Unreasonable Woman: A True Story of Shrimpers, Politicos, Polluters and the Fight for Seadrift, Texas" and Mark McAfee, an internationally recognized raw milk production pioneer and advocate. The conference theme and keynote speakers have been selected to emphasize the tremendous determination and perseverance it takes to succeed in creating a more sustainable world.

In addition to over 80 workshops and ten pre-conference tracks, the conference features locally-grown, organic meals, a 78-vendor tradeshow, arts and music, and programming for youth and kids.

Northern Plains Sustainable Ag 29th Annual Winter Conference
Dates: February 8-9, 2008
Location: Seven Seas, Mandan North Dakota
www.npsas.org

John Doran, Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska and Fred L. Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University will be the keynote speakers.

Professor Doran will focus on “Soil Health: Sustaining Earth & Its People” while Fred Kirschenmann will address the question, “Is There A Future for Beginning Farmers?” Workshops will feature information on livestock, bread making, estate planning, pesticides, organic no-till, local foods, junkyard wars and more.

Looking for the latest information on composting, odor control, marketing, research and evaluation? In need of the latest composting equipment and technologies? The USCC Annual Conference & Trade Show has the answers. Through the USCC’s six pre-conference workshops & training seminars and educational sessions presented under six conference tracks you will have the opportunity to attend the most comprehensive composting seminar program available.

Join hundreds of fellow compost managers, operators, regulators, researchers, government officials, engineers and consultants from throughout the country at the USCC Annual Conference, to engage in a focused, three-day series of workshops, training courses, educational and technical sessions and seminars covering composting and compost marketing practices, new technologies and compost applications, policies, public outreach, program financing, and regulations. An outstanding program is planned with a diversity of sessions offered. Critical issues to be addressed at the conference affect all composters and those affiliated with the industry.

Fundamentals of Organic Seed Production Short Course
Dates: February 13, 2008
Location: Salem Conference Center, Salem, Oregon
www.seedalliance.org

Funded by Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, the Short Course will address two major areas:

• Fundamentals of seed production for organic professionals and farmers interested in learning how to grow specialty seed
• Fundamentals of organic production for seed professionals and farmers interested in learning how to grow organically

The Organic Seed Production Guide and the Guidebook on Organic Principles and Practices will be provided to all workshop participants.

5th Organic Seed Growers Conference
Dates: February 14-15, 2008
Location: Salem Conference Center, Salem, Oregon
www.seedalliance.org

The Organic Seed Growers Conference, hosted by Organic Seed Alliance with partnership from Oregon State University and Washington State University, is the largest meeting of seed professionals engaged in organic seed production, research, and plant breeding in the United States. This event brings together producers, university Extension and researchers, seed industry professionals, and food industry participants from across the country.

Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference hosted by Midwest Organic
and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
Dates: February 21-23, 2008
Location: LaCrosse, Wisconsin
www.mosesorganic.org

With 130 exhibitors and over 60 workshops, the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference is an extraordinary, farmer-centered event. This gathering is the largest organic farming conference in the U.S. and is celebrated as one of the foremost educational and networking events in the organic farming community. This year, MOSES is offering the Midwest Organic Research Symposium in conjunction with the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference. This symposium runs concurrently with the Conference.

Planning Your Organic Garden
Dates: February 23, 2008
Location: Angelic Organics Learning Center,
Caledonia, Illinois
www.csalearningcenter.org

Lift the winter blues in this workshop on designing an organically managed home vegetable garden. Learn about various methods for building soil, plus planning for space needs and crop rotation. This workshop is especially suited for beginning gardeners, or those ready to convert to non-chemical techniques. Bring your dreams for this year's garden, and leave with a garden map and planting calendar. Share a potluck lunch.

Georgia Organics Annual Conference
Dates: February 28-March 1, 2008
Location: Dalton, Georgia
www.georgiaorganics.org

Keynote speaker George Siemon, CEO of the nation's largest organic dairy cooperative, Organic Valley, promises to inspire with the wit and wisdom gleaned from his career weaving family farms together into cooperative marketing strongholds.

Highlights include:

• More farm tours and educational sessions - featuring nationally recognized speakers on sustainable farming, food systems, and traditional foods;
• Organic Banquet showcasing the best local foods prepared by the onsite banquet team in partnership with Chef Cathy Conway of Avalon Catering;
• A concurrent session track sponsored by the Slow Food Atlanta convivium;
• Expanded trade show featuring sustainable and organic product exhibitors from around the nation;
• Farm-to-School activity demonstration track doing double-duty as the Conference Children's Program

This, the largest sustainable agriculture event in Georgia, is attended by over 600 farmers, educators, chefs, food distributors, market managers, local food system advocates, and foodies from Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and beyond.

Reclaiming Our Healthy Future:
Political Change to Protect the Next Generation
Dates: March 14-16, 2008
Location: University of California, Berkeley, California
www.beyondpesticides.org

Announcing an exciting national gathering of pesticide experts and activists: Reclaiming Our Healthy Future: Political Change to Protect the Next Generation is convened by Beyond Pesticides, Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) and Pesticide Action Network North America.

Session topics include: Children’s Health, Farmworker Justice, Healthy and Just Food Systems, the Politics of Pesticides and much more. Keynote speakers include Arturo Rodriquez, president of United Farm Workers of America, and Tyrone Hayes, professor of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Also, Actress Kaiulani Lee will perform A Sense of Wonder, her one-woman play based on the life and works of Rachel Carson.

New American Farm Conference:
Advancing the Frontier of Sustainable Agriculture            
Dates: March 25-27, 2008
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
www.sare.org

Never before has the American public cared more about how and where its food is produced. New, lucrative markets are opening up: “natural”, “organic”, “local.” People are growing more concerned about the quality of our nation’s natural resources–and the communities they sustain.

More and more farmers and ranchers are turning to sustainable agriculture to boost profits, protect the land, air and water, and continue a rewarding way of life.