Update: Apr 1-2, 2016 Regional Small Farms Conference

All right, supporters and practitioners of SW FL small farmers and local food systems !  Here is an update of good news!

 

Due to popular demand, the early bird deadline for registration of the Apr 1-2, 2016 Regional Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference in Ft. Myers (see attachment for conference flyer)  is extended until Wednesday, March 23 at midnight. For program information and registration see www.smallfarmsconf.eventbrite.com

 

This regional conference, organized by the UF/IFAS Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Program, offers participants practical farming knowledge through educational sessions, networking opportunities, field workshops, farm tours, and more. Operating under the theme of “Strengthening Local Food Systems with Diversity,” the conference targets prospective or beginning farmers, experienced agriculture operators, local foods entrepreneurs, and food policy advocates.

 

Daily highlights include:

-          Friday, April 1

                Bus tour of four area urban farms

                Field workshops at ECHO Farm, an internationally recognized NGO in appropriate technology & diversified small farming

                Optional farm-to-table banquet celebration with locally grown foods

                Opening session w/ keynote farmer speakers from agritourism farms in SW and South FL

                Taste of Florida beverages; music and dancing

-          Saturday, April 2

                Sixteen educational sessions, on medicinal foods; agri-tourism; integrated pest management; marketing; food policies; and much more

                Trade show with agricultural vendors and educational organizations

                Networking opportunities

                Lunch with locally grown foods

 

Please, pass the word . . .

 

Thanks,

Dr K

 

Robert A. Kluson, Ph.D.

Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent III

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Community Services Business Center

6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL  34241

rkluson@scgov.net

(941-232-3090 (c)

https://www.facebook.com/robert.a.kluson

 

"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" - Robert Kennedy