Pre-Conferences

Eco-Farm en Español

Wednesday January 23, 2008

Opening Plenary Session: Sustainability

Eric Schlosser, Award-winnning journalist and author of Fast Food Nation,California.

Movie: King Corn: You Are What You Eat

King Corn is a new feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation. For more information go to http://www.kingcorn.net

Lighten Your Distribution Footprint

This forum is organized by the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership initiative.
This special half-day forum will be an interactive learning opportunity for any business interested in lightening their distribution footprint. Climate change and fuel prices, combined with emissions concerns, are creating big changes in transportation – are you prepared? This forum will focus on ways to increase distribution efficiency, transition to renewable fuel sources, establish alternative distribution networks, and resources that can save you money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Presenters include Buddy Polovick from the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership and Bill Van Amburg who directs the Hybrid Truck Users Forum and biofuels work at WestStart a non-profit that works to develop advanced transportation technologies that help clean the air and lessen our dependence on foreign oil. The presentations will be followed by open discussion and networking opportunity.

Thanks to our Sponsors: Organically Grown Company, Albert’s Organics/United Natural Foods, CF Fresh, Earl’s Organics, Nature’s Path Foods, Organics Unlimited, SunOpta Foods, Cal Organic, Chris-P Produce, Discovery Organics, New Seasons Market, Organic Valley, Co-op Partners, Health and LeJeune, and Stemilt Growers.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a separate fee to participate.

$75 for the workshop for Eco-Farm attendees; $125 for those not going to more of the conference. Scholarships are available. To sign up for this workshop please sign-up on the registration form or contact: Natalie Reitman-White, Program Coordinator, (541) 346-1609; nwhite@uoregon.edu.

Artisan Cheese and Brew Tasting - in the Tent, during the extra-long lunch hour.

Sample organic, hand-made cheese and beer varieties with host Sheana Davis from the Epicurean Connection! Roam the exhibitor area for refreshments, samples, information, and the goods and services you need.

Hora Social

Una oportunidad para conocer a otros agricultores de habla hispana.
Mixer: Here’s a chance for Spanish-speaking growers to get to know each other.
Hosts: ALBA & ATTRA

Organic Wine Tasting

It’s an Eco-Farm tradition! Come taste premium wines made from organic grapes by outstanding vintners. The reception will be a social and networking opportunity for growers, distributors, and all wine appreciators. Pre-register for $20 or pay $25 at the door for a chance to sample the choice offerings of the finest wineries in the West. The fee includes a commemorative wine glass.

Organic Farming Research Foundation Reception

A social hour for growers and researchers to meet and exchange contacts and
information on the latest progress coming out of organic agriculture research.

FarmLink Mixer
Linking Current and Future Farmers

Farmers young and old will mingle and discuss opportunities for leasing, purchasing, apprenticing, mentoring, and cropsharing. Learn more about how California FarmLink and World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms–USA, can help you meet the farm or farmer you’ve been looking for.
Hosts: WWOOF–USA & California FarmLink

10th Annual Seed Swap!

You can help preserve our genetic resources! Do you want to expand the biodiversity of your farm or garden? Many seeds of non-hybrid, non-engineered varieties will be available to trade at our 11th annual Seed Swap.
Make sure everything you bring is labelled, and please bring your own packets for seeds.
DON’T FORGET to bring seeds to share!
Hosted by the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC)

Like-Minded Mixer & Campfire (Especially for Singles)

Eco-Farm has been a meeting place for many over the last 27 years. Enjoy live music, conversation, beer, and wine around a campfire (weather permitting). It’s a great way to meet other single people with common interests.

Join us after dinner for wine and dessert and meet Tim Sullivan the new Executive Director of the Ecological Farming Association. Tim will briefly speak on the next steps for EFA, including our strategic development planning process and will be available to hear from you; our funders, supporters, members and friends. You don't want to miss this great opportunity to chat with Tim, in an informal setting, about the future of EFA.
Host: EFA

Post-Secondary Sustainable Agriculture Education

Are you currently studying or teaching sustainable agriculture at the college level? Do you wish you were? Come meet fellow students, staff, and faculty. This is a great place to exchange ideas and resources about your educational endeavors. The mixer will include reports on the outcomes from the two Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture Education Conferences, including the establishment of the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA).
Host: Dave Shaw, UC Santa Cruz

Movie: Eat at Bill's: Life in the Monterey Market

Eat at Bill's: Life in the Monterey Market is a video documentary about the phenomenon that is the Monterey Market, a family owned produce market in Berkeley, CA. The focus is on Bill Fujimoto, the market's owner. Bill's enthusiasm and experience fuel the enterprise and illuminate the Market's wide world of small growers and diverse customers. http://www.tangerineman.com/eab.htm
a film by Lisa Brenneis
Film is 67 minutes and will be followed by Q&A with Bill Fujimoto and Lisa Brenneis

The Renowned Eco-Farm Talent Show!

It’s Baaaaack! We know the conference attendees are filled with talent and our legendary talent show is the best place to show off your special gifts or give the speech that didn’t make it into the conference agenda! Each person will be given 5 minutes on stage to impress or educate or both. You’ll get extra points if your performance is related to farming and if you’re good the applause-o-meter will go crazy! The winner will receive a fabulous prize still to be determined, but last time it was a trip to Hawaii so we aren’t talking
peanuts, folks.
Sign up to perform in the talent show when you get to the conference. We can’t wait to see you show your stuff!

Friday January 25, 2008

Join other K-12 educators, administrators, and allies to discuss the use of farms and gardens for experiential learning. Bring success stories, questions, and instructional resources from your schools and farms to share with others.
Hosts: John Fisher, CASFS/Life Lab Science Program

Come to CAFF’s annual mixer and celebrate local food by consuming some California food, beer, and wine!
Host: Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)

Everyone is invited - especially Cal Poly alumni and San Luis Obispo's residents.
Host: Sustainable Agriculture Research Consortium

Explore the holy day’s teachings about sacred energy flow and caring for the earth and each other. Celebration will be led by Terry Gips, a Jewish Renewal leader and sustainability consultant.

Feast on delicious, fresh, seasonal organic food while we celebrate the farming community and honor long-term stewards of sustainable agriculture and advocates of social justice in sustainable agriculture.