Pacific Grove Workshops to Help Ecologically-Minded Farmers and Ranchers
Over 70 food and farming workshops and events await ecologically-minded farmers, ranchers, and all who support their success at the 40th EcoFarm Conference, January 22 -25, in Pacific Grove, CA.
Conference-goers will learn from leading experts on topics addressing both micro and macro issues critical to the prosperity of small and mid-scale farmers and organic agriculture at large with topics covering healthy soils and pest management, livestock and ranching, equity and labor, policy, marketing, and more…plus several workshops presented exclusively in Spanish.
“Agriculture and growers don’t have a reputation for being sexy, but somehow EcoFarm manages to maintain a balance between cool and innovative content and more thoughtful deep dives,” said Amy Wu, an avid EcoFarm attendee. “With engaging conversations on timely topics that resonate for all growers, such as the broad and yet very critical umbrella topic of soil health.”
Luminary keynote speakers Jonathan Lundgren and Leah Penniman will kick-off EcoFarm’s opening keynote session presenting their perspectives on the future of agriculture that is based on both scientific research and traditional knowledge.
Bob Quinn, author of the book Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs and Healthy Food will share his journey over the last several decades to turn his dryland Montana farm into a powerhouse of organic and regenerative agriculture.
The Successful Organic Farmers keynote session features three leading farms whose founders will share their stories and what they’ve learned along the way including Emigdio Ballon, Scott Park, and Ward & Rosie Burroughs.
The final keynote will be given by renowned “author, scientist, warrior, and mother” Dr. Vandana Shiva, who will address two paths to the future of food and farming and why ecological agriculture is our ethical, ecological and survival imperative.
The event starts with all-day Pre-Conference intensives that will take place on January 21 and January 22 including a Regenerative Agriculture Field Day at Swanton Pacific Ranch, A Permaculture Collaborative: City Repair meets Social Forestry, Organic Survival: Practical Strategies for Resistance, Resilience, and Regeneration, and Women/Womxn in Food & Agriculture: A Force With Nature. Plus an all-day farm and bus tour; Organic Farming on the Central Coast that will visit Lakeside Organic Gardens, JSM Organics, and Coastal Sun Cannabis & Coastal Moon Berry Farm with an organic lunch prepared by acclaimed chef Jim Denevan of Outstanding in the Field.
Attracting over 1,700 participants, EcoFarm Conference offers a diverse array of offerings including an exhibitor marketplace, artisanal tastings, seed swaps, live music, an annual awards banquet, and opportunities for farmers and ranchers to develop mentorships with industry experts. Attendees can choose single or multi-day passes with packages that include locally-sourced meals and on-site lodging at Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds.
The non-profit organizer EcoFarm, provides scholarships for new and beginning farmers who seek to attend EcoFarm Conference at a reduced cost.
“I don’t think there’s a gathering that has inspired me more to stay the course as a farmer than this one right here,” said organic grower Thomas Broz of Live Earth Farm. “It’s so intoxicating to come to EcoFarm … there should be a sign that says, if you attend EcoFarm, you may get addicted to farming.”
Read more: https://tpgonlinedaily.com/ecofarm-bus-tour…he-central-coast/