INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM/AUSTRALIA

acampbell@peg.apc.org
Fri, 11 Feb 1994 16:57:57 -0800

International Symposium

ENVIRONMENTAL AGRICULTURE - towards 2000

(iseat-2000)

A hands-on, working symposium to share issues and concerns, to

learn, network and to find the answers.

Purpose: ISEAT-2000 has been designed to:

1. Identify the major practical, technological and social

challenges facing environmental agriculture now, and in

the future.

2. Facilitate interchange between knowledgeable

sustainable farmers and other delegates.

3. Reach an accord that supports the co-existence of

sustainable agriculture with responsible environmental

management and protection.

Overview:

. Sunday June 5 1994 is an optional field trip to " Kialla ",

an organic farm and food processing facility on the Darling

Downs of Queensland.

. Monday June 6 1994 is the first official day of the

symposium. the opening address will present a challenge to

participants under the theme " The Responsibility for Change

". The program is designed to flow from the broad concepts

involving environmental agriculture from an international

perspective to the issues and challenges facing practitioners,

land managers and government.

The workshops are designed to provide opportunities for

participants to discuss in smaller groups how these issues and

challenges may be considered in policy design and in practical

application at the farm level.

This process is expected to promote and encourage co-

ordination between groups, and lead directly to a number of

worthwhile initiatives. The day closes with the formal dinner.

Professor Ian Lowe will give the after dinner address.

. Tuesday June 7 1994 is concerned with " Meeting the

Challenges " towards the year 2000 and beyond. The day follows

a similar format to Monday, with international speakers, a

panel of presenters and workshops. The group is brought

together for a plenary and discussion of how these initiatives

may be incorporated into policy and into practical strategies.

. Wednesday June 8 1994 is an optional review and workshop

morning for organisations, individuals and the keynote

speakers. Participants are invited to attend the review of the

symposium, its activities and outcomes.

Some keynote speakers:-

Dr Jill Auburn:

Chair of the World Sustainable Agriculture Association ( WSAA

) Directorate of Information Exchange. She is also the

Information Systems Manager, Sustainable Agriculture Network

Program, University of California, USA. Jill's address will be

on accessing world best practice. She has also agreed to

demonstrate computer technology and its application to

environmental agriculture.

Miles Saunders:

Dairy farmer from " Witton Farm ", Inglesham, Wiltshire, UK.

He has a dairy herd of more than 260 animals that are managed

organically and homeopathically. In his presentation to the

group and in a workshop, Miles will be demonstrating some of

his techniques for environmental agriculture in the dairy

industry.

Dr. John Renagold:

Associate Professor in Soil Science at Washington State

University. His area of expertise and research is in

comparisons between organic and conventional agriculture -

economic, soil quality and yield comparisons.

Dick and Sharon Thompson:

Farmers from Iowa, USA who provide an example of the switch

from conventional farming to a more environmentally sensitive

system.Their farm has crops such as corn and soybeans as part

of a mixed farming operation that includes cattle and pigs.

Their success has drawn the interest of the USDA and Land

Grant University scientists to compare their regenerative

practices to the conventional methods of their neighbours.

Bernie Von Pein (farmer):

" Farming systems from a practitioners perspective -

incorporating environmental agriculture. "

Dr Gary Osborne ( Manager, Recycling Investigation, NSW

Government )

" Safe disposal of waste on agricultural land."

Ruth Lovisolo ( Senior Executive, Food Standards Policy

Section, Canberra )

" Food quality standards and implementation - national

standards for exports. "

Cam Stanford ( Farmer and Past President of the Apple and Pear

Growers Association, South Australia )

" President's Charter: a landmark decision in which industry

and community groups arrived at quality standard of product. "

Maree McCaskill ( Executive Director, Australian Cotton

Foundation )

" Agricultural Chemicals and the Environment. "

Rob Ganley ( Consultant to Uncle Toby's Oats. )

" The role of the consumer in influencing agricultural

production. "

The Policy Panel:-

The policy panel comprises senior representatives from the

following:

. Biological Farmers of Australia

. Department of Primary Industries and Energy

. Department of Environment, Sport and Territories

. National Farmers Federation

. Primary Industries Bank of Australia

. Queensland Department of Primary Industries

. Queensland Rural Press Club

. Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage

. Queensland Rural Women

. Women's Policy Unit

REGISTRATION

Family Name First Name Title

Address

State Country Postcode

Phone Fax Email

Preferred Name and Affiliation on name tag

Accompanying Non Delegate

FEES

In House ( Staying at the Travelodge )

Full 2 day Symposium - payment by March 1, 1994 $295

- payment after $375

Non in house delegate - payment by March 1, 1994 $345

- payment after $425

Primary Producer couple rate

( per couple - payment by March 1, 1994 $400

Options ( per head )

Field trip to organic farm $50

Official Symposium Dinner $50

Welcome Function $25

Symposium Review $25

Accommodation at the Travelodge $110 per room per night ( two

double beds ) includes two breakfasts.

ISEAT Symposium Secretariat

National Australia Travel Ltd

PO Box 9909 Brisbane

Queensland Australia

Phone +61 75 390333

Fax +61 75 390195

or email to Andrew Campbell, Convening Committee

< acampbell@peg.apc.org >