Eco-Farm 07 Pre-Conference Events

Bus Tour 2007 Kicks Off Eco Farm Conference
Sustainable Agriculture in Coastal Monterey County

Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
This all-day field trip promises a diverse and informative tour of four organic farms in the coastal zone of Monterey County. This area of cool, foggy summers, sunny springs and falls, and mild wet winters features a great range of crops suited to the climate and fertile coastal soils.

Tour stops include: 1) Serendipity Farms, where Jamie Collins will show us 15 acres of cool season organic vegetables and artichokes growing on the historic Odello Ranch near the mouth of the Carmel River. Jamie will also discuss her hot weather crop farm up valley, and the organic demonstration farm project on land leased from the California State Parks. Jamie markets via farmers markets, wholesale and private label for Trader Joe’s. 2) Jamie’s neighbor is Felix Plascencia of Plascencia Farms. Felix grows 15 acres of organic strawberries on the Odello Ranch and markets them under the Driscoll label. The challenges and opportunities for growing luscious berries without fumigation and other agrochemicals will be discussed. We will see his new crop of berries planted in November. 3) In the Elkhorn Slough watershed we will visit TLC (Tastes Like Chicken) Ranch, where Rebecca Thistlethwaite and Jim Dunlop produce pastured poultry and pigs. In 2006 they raised 1,000 laying hens, 1,000 broiler chickens, 30 heritage turkeys, and 200 pigs on 10 acres of rotationally grazed pasture using organic practices. They market through farmers’ markets and a buying club. 4) On the shores of the Elkhorn Slough, we’ll see Elkhorn Native Plant Nursery. Rob de Bree will host the tour of the 3 acre nursery, specializing in California native and drought tolerant plants. We will also meet with Dick Peixoto of Lakeside Organic Gardens, who farms the adjoining organic fields. Dick will show us the winter cover crop and discuss the upcoming broccoli and cauliflower plantings on the land he rotates with Sandpiper Farms, growers of organic strawberries.`

Amigo Cantisano of Organic Ag Advisors, Sam Earnshaw of Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), and Richard Smith of UC Cooperative Extension lead the tour. Lunch will be a hearty natural foods meal prepared from organically grown and local ingredients by noted chef Jim Denevan. Morning coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided. Every year the bus tour is a sellout, usually by the early registration deadline. Participant comments: “The best farm tour I’ve been on,” “Excellent presentations by the growers,” “Highly informative and fun.” Sign up on the registration form or call for further details at (831) 763-2111. Please note that the bus tour departs from Asilomar. We have rooms booked for those needing accommodations at Asilomar on the night before the tour (Tuesday the 23rd).

Please note - In order to attend the Eco-Farm Bus Tour, you must be registered for at least 1/2 day of the main conference.

A National Organic Action Plan:
What Will Organic Look Like in the Next 10-20 Years?

Tues. afternoon January 23 and all day Wed. January 24 at Asilomar

After years of reacting to the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act and USDA’s National Organic Program, it is time for the entire organic community – farmers, consumers, farm workers, trade, urban and rural groups – to take a step forward, and begin to develop a vision for the future of Organic. Several groups have come together to listen to the broad organic community regarding the scope of a National Organic Action Plan (NOAP) that looks towards the long view – 10 to 20 years in the future.

The scope and vision could include both governmental and non-governmental goals as to where organic should go and how to get there, from 2007 Farm Bill priorities for Organic to acreage and sales goals for the future. It could also incorporate quantitative and qualitative measures for the long list of societal benefits provided by organic.

This presentation will look for full audience participation in outlining your interests, visions, and concerns for the future of organic, as well as for how it should be mapped in a comprehensive National Plan. Register for meals and accommodations on the Eco-Farm registration form. The cost for the whole event is $20 if registered by 12/22/06. For more information, please contact Liana Hoodes (liana@hvc.rr.com, phone: 845-744-2304).

This mini-conference is one in a series offered around the country in 2006 and 2007. Eco-Farm will be our sole California venue.

SPONSORED BY:
RURAL ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL ORGANIC COALITION
THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

School Garden Bus Tour

Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 8 :00am - 5:00 pm

The Monterey Bay Area is home to some of the most impressive school garden programs in the state. The School Gardens tour will visit five thriving garden projects that teach pre school - middle school students cooking and nutrition, organic gardening, ornithology, science, and more! Curricular and funding resources will be shared throughout the day.

The tour will be lead by John Fisher, Life Lab Garden Classroom Program Manager. John is an active member of the newly formed California School Garden Network and directs the California Department of Education's Monterey Bay Area Garden Resource Center. He brings much enthusiasm and a desire to share his experiences with others involved in garden-based education.

A detailed schedule of the day is available on LifeLab's website.

CSA Nuts and Bolts: A Continuing Conversation
Pre-Conference to the Ecological Farming Conference

Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Last year’s pre-conference for CSA coordinators and farmers was successful and everyone agreed that they would like even more information sharing. Join your peers for in-depth discussion, sharing of successes, and presentations addressing topics important for running a CSA program. Participants will be asked to bring examples of membership and outreach materials to share with the full group.

Through facilitated interaction with peers and in sharing experiences, participants will gain a better understanding of topics such as distribution, communication with members, effective planning, value-added non-fruit and vegetable options, and more. Help shape the agenda by telling us on the registration form what information you want to take away from the workshop. Take advantage of this yearly space dedicated to CSA farmers! See page 63 for Pre-Conference Registration.

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Ecological Farming Association • 406 Main Street Ste. 313 • Watsonville, CA 95076
ph. 831-763-2111 • fax. 831-763-2112 • info@eco-farm.org