Successful farmers stay educated about the business behind their trade. And this year’s Focus on Farming industry workshop lineup has something for everyone, from government contracting to mobile USDA livestock processing units to native plants and water quality.
Attendees at the 11th annual conference can attend educational workshops in one of six industry tracks:
• The business of farming/marketing
• Hot topics (including local grain and medicinal herbs)
• Livestock production
• Nursery/greenhouse
• Regionalizing our food
• Sustainable Agriculture Education
Industry experts from across the nation will discuss topics like the 2014 farm bill, growing Asian medicinal herbs in the Northwest, USDA grass-fed certification, new invasive pests and diseases, challenges and opportunities for strengthening the state food systems, and intercropping methods for resilient production. Find a full list of workshops, including course presenters and detailed course descriptions, online at http://bit.ly/FOFworkshops.
Morning keynote speaker Robert Thayer, professor emeritus of landscape architecture and founder of the U.C. Davis landscape architecture program, will share his thoughts on "Farming in the Bioregion: Nature, Place and Community." Lunchtime keynote speaker Fred Kirschenmann, Iowa State University professor and distinguished fellow, will present on "Anticipating Future Food and Farming Challenges: Opportunities for Beginning Farmers." Find full presentation abstracts and speaker bios online at http://bit.ly/FOFspeakers.
Snohomish County’s annual Focus on Farming conference wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local sponsors. This year’s sponsor list includes the following partners: USDA Risk Management Agency, Snohomish Conservation District, Snohomish County Parks and Recreation, Washington Sustainable Food – Farming Network, WSU, WSU Snohomish County Extension, King County, Pierce County, Edmonds Community College, Seattle Central College, Skagit Valley College, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Beneficial State Bank, PCC Market and Pike Place Market.
For more information about the Focus on Farming conference and agriculture in Snohomish County, contact Linda Neunzig at 425-388-7170 or linda.neunzig@snoco.org. Registration and program information is available online at www.focusonfarming.org.