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SPRING VALLEY, Wis.— The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service will host its 23rd annual Organic Farming Conference from Feb. 23-25 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse.
The Organic Farming Conference is billed as the nation’s largest event for the organic farming community. MOSES expects attendance to be about 3,000 farmers and agricultural professionals.
The farmer-centered conference will feature more than 65 workshops, 160-plus exhibitors, nationally known keynote speakers, and locally sourced food and live entertainment.
“We’re really focused on farmer-to-farmer education and networking at our conference,” notes conference co-director Chris Blanchard.
Prior to the OFC, on Feb. 23, the Organic University will offer 10 full-day courses on various organic agriculture topics for novices and experts alike. The walk-in fee to attend the university sessions is $190.
The keynote speaker on Feb. 24 will be Margaret Krome, policy program director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. She will present “Growing Food, Health and Democracy: How Farmers, Activists and Consumers are Finding Our Power and Transforming the Food System.”
On Feb. 25, Heinz Award-winning filmmaker Curt Ellis will present a multi-media presentation titled: “Growing Forward: The New Faces of Food and Farming.” King Corn filmmaker Ellis is co-founder of FoodCorps.
MOSES also will announce and feature the 2012 Organic Farmer of the Year award recipient. The award is granted annually to an outstanding organic farmer or farm family who are innovators; who excel in managing farm resources; and who serve as educators and examples in their communities and to the next generation of organic farmers.
The Young Organic Stewards program recognizes, honors and supports the next generation of organic farmers through targeted workshops and social activities.
Walk-in registration to attend the conference is $215, which includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, workshops, general sessions, admission to the exhibit hall and evening entertainment. A one-day registration costs $130.
There are numerous events for children and teens throughout the conference, including childcare as well as discounted meals and attendance fees.
To learn more, call MOSES at 1-715-778-5775 or see mosesorganic.org/conference.html.
