The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to nurture safe, healthy, just, and ecologically sustainable farms, food systems, and communities by bringing people together for education, alliance building, advocacy, and celebration. EcoFarm Conference features over 70 workshops, intensives, keynote speakers, an exhibitor marketplace, seed swap, awards banquet, live entertainment, mixers, and organic culinary fare. Workshops cover practical and cutting edge information on crop production, livestock, soil health, marketing, distribution, and farming and food system issues. As the oldest and largest organic farming conference in the West, EcoFarm is a prime networking and educational hub for farmers, ranchers, distributors, retailers, activists, researchers, and educators. For more information, contact Gwendolyn Wyard.
The Organic Trade Association will be presenting in the following sessions at the Conference:
Organic Integrity in a Global Marketplace
Thursday, Jan. 25 - 8:30am Location: Chapel
Incredible growth in the organic marketplace is driving demand for organic crops sourced from around the world. The influx of organic imports is presenting new enforcement challenges and in 2017 the Washington Post highlighted some cases of fraud. While fraud is the exception, not the norm, any gap in oversight must be quickly addressed to protect organic producers and consumers. Join this session to learn how the National Organic Standards Board, organic certifiers and other stakeholders are working to establish new processes and best practices that will ensure the integrity of the global organic supply chain.
Speakers: Gwendolyn Wyard (OTA), Scott Rice (WSDA Organic), Jake Lewin (CCOF)
A Farm Bill For an Organic Future
Thursday, Jan. 25 - 3:30pm Location: Heather
Farm Bill is coming, and it will affect you! The Farm Bill is a defining piece of federal legislation that will frame the next five years of agriculture, conservation, social welfare, and other programs. Join organic policy experts to learn about this critical legislation and how organic advocates are working to build better policies and financial support for organic farmers and consumers in California and beyond. The session will highlight how farmers can get engaged by attending farmer fly-ins in D.C., meeting with elected representatives, and more.
Speakers: Laura Batcha (OTA), Kelly Damewood (CCOF), Brise Tencer (OFRF)
Meeting Information:
January 24-27, 2018
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds
Pacific Grove, CA
