USA: Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service conference

The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) hosts its 23rd annual Organic Farming Conference at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, from 23 to 25 February 2012. The conference is the largest and foremost educational and networking event for the organic farming community in the USA, Moses reports. The farmer-centered conference will feature more than 65 informative workshops, more than 160 exhibitors, nationally known keynote speakers, and locally sourced food and live entertainment. MOSES expects attendance to be about 3,000 farmers and agricultural professionals.
 

Held prior to the OFC, the Organic University will offer 10 full day courses on various organic agriculture topics for novices and experts alike. On 23 February, Margaret Krome, Policy Program Director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, will present: “Growing Food, Health and Democracy: How Farmers, Activists and Consumers are Finding Our Power and Transforming the Food System.” On 24 February, the award-winning filmmaker Curt Ellis will present a rich 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. There are numerous events for children and teens throughout the conference, including childcare as well as discounted meals and attendance fees. More information on the conference is available here