The following article is posted with permission fromMOSES.
The annual Organic Farming Conference is the nation’s largest educational and networking event for the organic farming community.
The farmer-centered conference will feature 10 day-long, pre-conference Organic University courses, more than 70 informative workshops and 170 tradeshow exhibitors, nationally known keynote speakers, and locally sourced organic food. In 2012, the MOSES Conference attracted more than 3,000 farmers and agricultural professionals.
Organic Farmer of the Year
The conference kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 with the presentation of the 2013 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year award. The award is granted each year 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.
Keynote Speakers
The MOSES Conference traditionally features two keynote presentations.
At 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, award-winning filmmaker Jeremy Seifert and producer Joshua Kunau will discuss their new film: GMO OMG, and what they learned speaking with farmers, seed sellers and scientific experts regarding the issues surrounding GMO farming and food.
At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, organic farmer and 2005 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year, Carmen Fernholz, will share his vision of the roles producers and consumers should play in an ideal organic food production system.
New Organic Stewards
The renamed New Organic Stewards includes a special track for new and young farmers, which aims to educate, inspire and empower new farmers to succeed as the organic producers of the future. A couple hundred conference participants are expected to join in activities through the New Organic Stewards program.
Attendance Details
Cost to attend the conference is $195, which includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, workshops, general sessions, admission to the exhibit hall and evening entertainment. Supper is available at the conference for $15 for adults. Of course, all food and beverages are organically produced, making this one of the largest organic foodservice events in the country.
The fee for the in-depth Organic University sessions on Thursday, Feb. 21, is $170.
The deadline to register for the Organic University and the MOSES Conference is Monday, Feb. 13. Walk-ins will be accepted after that for an added fee, but space cannot be guaranteed.
This family-friendly conference includes childcare with planned activities, plus events for teens, as well as discounted meals and attendance fees.
More information
To learn more, call MOSES at 715-778-5775 or go to mosesorganic.org/conference.html
