Pre-Conferences
— Smart Energy Management
— CSA
— National Organic Action Plan
— Bus Tour
— School Garden Bus Tour

Eco Farm
en Español

Wednesday January 24, 2007

Wild Farm Celebration and Reading from New Book

Come hear Gary Nabhan, Dan Imhoff, and Jo Ann Baumgartner read their essays from the new book Farming and the Fate of Wild Nature, a collection of more than 20 essays by ecological and agrarian voices. Afterwards, mix it up and get wild!

Farming and the Fate of Wild Nature is a collection of more than 20 essays by such leading ecological and agrarian voices as Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, Barbara Kingsolver, Laura Jackson, Fred Kirschenmann, Dave Foreman, and Gary Paul Nabhan. These carefully chosen pieces offer the scientific and philosophical underpinnings of the new movement known as conservation-based agriculture. With grace and insight, the authors vividly depict the need for heightened land stewardship in an era of diminishing natural resources, amidst a profound extinction crisis. The ideas and stories in Farming and the Fate of Wild Nature will change your perceptions about agriculture and conservation.
Hosts: Wild Farm Alliance & Watershed Media

Food Transportation Challenges and Renewable Fuels

This session is designed for produce producers, distributors, and purveyors.
Part of a series in the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Initiative.
Hosted by Resource Innovations.
Most consumers live in cities far away from the fields where food is grown. Along its journey from farm to plate, produce is transported through a network of trucks operated by growers, distributors, and retailers. Currently the produce distribution system remains largely dependent on conventional modes of transportation. This continued dependence on fossil fuel poses many threats to the food trade, from being hit with price spikes to contributing to global warming. This workshop will focus on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to transition to renewable fuel sources. We will share tools for reducing fuel use through various efficiency measures, explore alternative fuels, and discuss how carbon-emissions offset programs can be used to mitigate negative carbon impacts. The presentations will be followed by open discussion and networking opportunity.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a separate fee to participate.
$95 for the workshop for Eco-Farm attendees; $150 for those not going to more of the conference. Scholarships are available.

To sign up for this workshop please register through Eco-Farm 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.

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 $15 or pay $20 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.

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

UCSC Farm & Garden “Back 40” Celebration Mixer

Help kick off the 40th anniversary celebration marking four decades of training organic farmers and gardeners at the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden. Enjoy a glass of wine and a snack, connect with fellow apprenticeship grads, and find out the latest on the 40th anniversary gathering planned for July 27-29, 2007.
Hosts: UCSC Farm & Garden

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 10th 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 twenty-five 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.

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 last year’s pre-conference, including the establishment of a Sustainable Agriculture Education Association (SAEA) and a second conference in July 2007 at Cornell.
Host: Katie Monsen, doctoral candidate, Environmental Studies and the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, UC Santa Cruz

Farms Not Arms Reception
Featuring the Video “American Farmers Speak Out”

Join members of Farms Not Arms for a mixer and discussion about how we can collaborate with the peace movement and other activist groups to bring about the kind of social change necessary to save our world. Farms Not Arms (FNA) was founded in 2006 by farmers and farm supporters to give American farmers a voice in the worldwide peace movement.
The evening will feature American Farmers Speak Out, a new video by Village Media and Farm Broadcasting. The film captures some of the farmers from across the country who spoke at the 2006 FarmAid concert. Farmers were asked to give their opinions on the burning issues of the day, including labor and immigration, energy dependence and sustainability, and the effect of war on farmers and farming families. This is a session for networking, discussion, and brainstorming.

ContraDance

Tired of sitting all day? Shake, swirl and sway with a vigorous dance session!

Friday January 26, 2007

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)

Come mingle with farmers, activists, and organizers who are building community
and making social change through food.
Hosts: California Food & Justice Coalition & Community Food Security Coalition

Explore the holyday’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.

Mixer for Ecological Landscape gardeners. A chance to network with your peers and find out the latest news in the ecological landscape world. Learn about cutting edge trends and techniques to meet the challenges of ecological landscaping.
Host: Ken Foster, Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping

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.