|
Event
Focus on Farming 9
Feeding Our Future
Focus on Farming Conference 2012
November 15, 2012
We invite you to be part of our agricultural community! For nine years, farmers, aspiring farmers, agriculture groups and partners have come to the annual Focus on Farming conference to learn the latest information, network with other farmers and to find new ideas in production and marketing.
One Day, One Stop, Hundreds of Farmers & Partners organizations!
Focus on Farming is the only one-day gathering of all types of farming in one location; whether organic or conventional, livestock or row crops, large or small. Providing quality education to sustain current farmers and attract new farmers to our region is a critical component in securing the next generation's local food supply.
"Feeding Our Future", the ninth annual Focus on Farming Conference is scheduled for November 15, 2012 at Comcast Arena in Everett, WA. Since its beginning in 2004, Focus on Farming has grown into a diverse, regional agricultural conference known for its quality speakers and varied and timely topics. Last year, the conference hosted more than 550 attendees from all areas of the agriculture industry, including upcoming farmers from local Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs.
Focus on Farming is the only conference in Washington State that is inclusive of all growers. Recognizing that agriculture is constantly changing, many established farmers come to hear about recent research and learn new techniques. The emphases on health, food security, increasing localized food production, sustainable practices and marketing from a local to a national level, are encouraging new and experienced farmers to attend and see innovative practices. This year's conference will focus on new and beginning farmers through a special educational track and a keynote presentation from Colin Archipley of Archi's Acres.
Archi's Acres is a small-scale organic farm in Southern California established in 2007 by a decorated Marine Sergeant Colin Archipley and his wife Karen. The company utilizes innovative growing techniques to produce the highest quality, nutritious, great tasting locally grown organic food. Archipley's goal is to augment and accelerate the agricultural revolution across America, in partnership with military veterans by offering combat veterans meaningful training and employment opportunities in the high growth industry of sustainable crop production. Archipleys will also teach an entrepreneur farming session in one of the day's tracks.
Chef Ann Cooper is a celebrated author, chef, educator, and enduring advocate for better food for all children. Ann is a relentless voice of reform by focusing on the links between food, family, farming and children's health and wellness.
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY, Ann has been a chef for more than 30 years including positions with Holland America Cruises, Radisson Hotels, Telluride Ski Resort as well as serving as Executive Chef at the renowned Putney Inn in Vermont. She has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, and Time Magazine and has appeared on NPR's 'Living on Earth,' ABC's
Nightline, CNN, PBS' To The Contrary and the CBS Morning Show and many other media outlets. Ann has shared her knowledge and experience by speaking at the Smithsonian Institute, the National Restaurant Association, the Heifer Foundation, Chefs Collaborative, the International Association of Culinary Professionals and numerous conferences. She has been honored by SLOW Food USA, selected as a Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow, and awarded an honorary doctorate from SUNY Cobleskill for her work on sustainable agriculture.
She is past president of The American Culinary Federation of Central Vermont, and past president and board member of Women's Chefs and Restaurateurs. She also served on the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Standards Board, a Congressional appointment, and was an Executive Committee member of Chefs Collaborative - all in an effort to raise awareness about the value of healthful, seasonal, organic, and regional foods.
Ann's focus is now on using her skills and background to create a sustainable model for schools nationwide to transition any processed food based K-12 school meal program to a whole foods environment where food is procured regionally and prepared from scratch.
Joe Rogoff, Whole Foods Market Pacific Northwest Regional President, will wrap up our fabulous lunch. Whole Foods Market has a long history of working with local farmers at help create markets for locally grown food. Their Local Producer Loan Program (LPLP) provides up to $10 million in low-interest loans to small, local producers to make it easier for them to grow their businesses and bring more local products to market.
Seven educational tracks will be provided to attendees with a totalof 28 workshop sessions :
Specialty Crops
Livestock
Nursery/Greenhouse
Business of Farming/Marketing
Local Grains
New & Beginning Farmers
Small Equipment
A 17,000 square foot exhibition area representing all segments of the industry's needs from equipment to insurance will complement the day's event. An evening reception, showcasing local and regional wine, cheese and other items will be held immediately following the day's sessions.
For more information about the conference, visit focusonfarming.org. Please join our continued efforts to educate, support, and grow the agriculture industry by attending Focus on Farming IX. We are "Feeding our Future"!
For more information contact:
Linda Neunzig
Agriculture Coordinator
Snohomish County
Linda.Neunzig@snoco.org
(425) 388-7170
|
|
 |
LocationEdward D. Hansen Confernce Center at Comcast Arena (View)
2000 Hewitt Ave
Everett, WA 98201
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
|
Contact
|
