NESAWG AUTUMN MEETING ANNOUNCMENT

Kathy Lawrence (klawrence@igc.apc.org)
Tue, 11 Oct 1994 05:28:19 -0700

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG)
invites you to a RESOURCE HARVEST

NESAWG'S RESOURCE HARVEST: NESAWG members offering opportunities
to:
- teach and learn
- share information and ideas
- display and collect materials
- develop skills and
- meet colleagues in a beautiful rural setting

NOVEMBER 11-12, 1994
the W. Alton Jones Environmental Education Center
W. Greenwich, Rhode Island

AGENDA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 (PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS)
Noon - 5:00 OFAC Lunch and meeting
2:00 - 5:00 NESAWG Coordinating Committee meeting
5:00 - 7:30 Dinner Break
7:30 - 9:00 OFAC, NESAWG CC cont'd, meeting space available
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 CONFERENCE DAY I
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 Registration and set-up
9:00 - 9:15 Welcome and Introduction to NESAWG
9:15 - 10:15 Keynote: Stewart Smith
10:15 -10:30 Break
10:30 -11:45 Concurrent Sessions I
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 Concurrent Sessions II
3:00 - 3:30 Break/poster session
3:30 - 5:00 Concurrent Sessions III
5:00 - 7:30 Dinner Break
7:30 - 9:00 Evening Keynote and Forum: Terry D'Addio

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 CONFERENCE DAY II
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast
8:30 - 9:15 Keynote: Robert Miller
9:30 - 10:30 Concurrent Sessions IV
10:30 -10:45 Break
10:45 -12:00 Concurrent Sessions V
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 1:45 NESAWG COMMITTEES:Using what we've learned
(NESAWG's Land Grant, Federal Policy and Trade,
Regional Marketing, and Education and Capacity
Building Committee meet - everyone welcome)
1:45 - 3:15 NESAWG Membership Meeting
3:15 - 3:30 Closing remarks and adjourn


space available for displays and resource material -- bring
yours!

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DIRECTIONS: the W. Alton Jones Environmental Education Center is
located in W. Greenwich, Rhode Island, 30 miles south of
Providence. Take I-95 to Exit 5B to Route 105 North for approx
2.5 miles. Take left onto Brown;s Corner Rd, opposite Sign for
"URI W. Alton Jones Campus". Follow signs to Environmental
Education Center, 15 miles to AMTRAK in W. Kingston, and air
service is 25 minutes away in Warwick, R.I.

MEALS PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH NOFA RHODE ISLAND

* 2300 acres of forests, lakes and farmlands * 25 miles of
hiking trails * canoes * volleyball

SPACE IS LIMITED --- REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCT 14.
For more information contact Kathy Ruhf, NESAWG Coordinator
Tel: 413-323-4531

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KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

"A Regional Food and Farm System in the Northeast: Facing the
Challenge"
Stewart Smith, Professor of Sustainable Agriculture Policy,
Department of Resource Economics and Policy, University of Maine

"Urban and Rural Links for a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture"
Terry D'Addio, Special Assistant, Natural Resources &
Environment, Office of the Assistant Secretary, U.S.D.A.

"Educating for a Sustainable Agriculture"
Robert Miller, Dean, College of Resource Development,
University of Rhode Island

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CONCURRENT WORKSHOP SESSIONS

SESSION I FRIDAY 10:30-11:45

1. COFFEE AND CREAM: A LOOK AT NORTHEAST DAIRY AND LATIN
AMERICAN COFFEE FARMERS. Michael Rozyne, Equal Exchange; Steven
Judge, founder, Vt. Milk Producers

An opportunity to think globally and act locally through this
look at similar obstacles faced by small-scale family dairy
farmers and coffee growers. Issues of marginalization,
overproduction, and debt, as well as solutions through
alternative trading systems will be discussed... over coffee.

2. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND THE PROSPECTS FOR RURAL COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT. Gil Gillespie, Sociologist, Ithaca, N.Y.

Three conceptions of agricultural sustainability and the
implications for rural communities; a thought-provoking
presentation with opportunity for discussion.

3. COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY: CONCEPT AND POLICY OPTIONS FOR THE
'90's. Mark Winne, Hartford Food System

A look at a comprehensive food-system-oriented approach to
regional food issues including hunger, sustainable agriculture,
and nutrition.

4. REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SUSTAINING AGRICULTURE. Jonda
Crosby, RISA Project, Pennsylvania

Presentation and discussion of a project addressing barriers and
incentives to sustainable agriculture in an urbanizing
environment, including results of 3,000 interviews and focus
groups.


SESSION II FRIDAY 1:30-3:00

5. LOCAL ORGANIZING: THE N.Y. AGRICULTURE AND FARMLAND
PROTECTION BOARDS. Elizabeth Henderson, Rose Valley Farm, NOFA
New York

Presentation of the New York Agriculture and Farmland Protection
Boards' work in developing county plans and organizing local
political support and local purchase. For those interested in
rural development, urban connections, land protection, and
marketing.

6. HOLISTIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR THE NORTHEAST. Willie
Gibson, Univ. Vermont Extension System

Introduction to HRM for use on Northeast farms and in
organizations and communities; getting organized, setting goals,
putting questions to the test; opportunity to apply HRM
techniques to your situation.

7. N.E. SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM -- A VISION TO SINK YOUR TEETH
INTO. Michael Rozyne, Equal Exchange; staff, NESAWG Leadership
Congress.

A nuts and bolts schematic of a sustainable Northeast regional
food system ; includes thoughts on stakeholder assembly, source
directory and other creative and challenging ideas; a practical,
working discussion session.

8. THE 1995 FARM BILL: AGENDA FOR THE NORTHEAST. Dorothy Suput,
NESAWG Regional Organizer; Campaign Issue Committee reps

Description and update of the National Campaign for Sustainable
Agriculture; packed with information, issues discussion,
strategies and inspiration for the Northeast.

SESSION III FRIDAY 3:30-5:00

9. THE DEATH OF THE LAND GRANT SYSTEM: OPPORTUNITIES FOR REBIRTH
John Gerber, Director, Univ. of Mass. Extension System; Judy
Gillan, C o-Chair, NESAWG Land Grant Issue Committee.

Provocative thoughts on renewing the land grant university's
commitment to the public good; a look at organizational
structure and the connections between Extension, research and
the public; discussion of NESAWG's successful pilot Land Grant
Sustainable Agriculture Inventory and Assessment Project.

10. INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONIC NETWORKING. Kathy Lawrence,
NESAWG Education, Outreach and Capacity Building staff.

A hands-on, practical, "driver's ed" training on the electronic
highway; l earn basic knowledge and application; complete with
computer for instruction.

11. HOW TO: CAMPAIGNING FOR THE 1995 FARM BILL. Dorothy Suput,
NESAWG Regional Organizer

Develop practical strategies and organizing skills. For
individuals and organizations to plug into the 1995 Farm Bill
campaign or any other.

12. GREEN PAYMENTS: LINKING AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
Stewart Smith, University of Maine; Eric Palola, National
Wildlife Federation.

The newest thinking on policies that reward farmers for
environmentally responsible practices; a critical exploration of
issues and models; vital discussion for all Northeast
stakeholders.

SESSION IV SATURDAY 9:30-10:30

13. FORESTRY AND FARMING IN THE NORTHEAST. Eric Palola, National
Wildlife Federation.

A look at the critical relationship between forests and farms in
our region: sustainable management issues, existing and proposed
programs; working with forestry groups.

14. DEALING WITH PESTICIDE IMPACTS. Tracy Frisch, N.Y. Coalition
for Alternatives to Pesticides

A case study and discussion on how one New York state community
is dealing with pesticide impacts on rural residents.

15. PROTECTING FARMLAND: WHOSE INTERESTS? Kathy Ruhf, New
England Small Farm Institute.

A discussion about farmland tenure and farmland protection
issues in the Northeast: this is about open space preservation;
land access and security; beginning and retiring farmers; and
local, regional and national strategies to develop win-win
solutions.

16. COMMUNITY BUILDING THROUGH FARMSTANDS. Alison Clarke,
Politics of Food.

Farmstands in predominantly Hispanic and African-American
neighborhoods provide quality food and build local community.
Problems and promises in project's first season.

SESSION V 10:45-12:00

17. COMMUNITY FARMS: WHAT THEY OFFER THE REGION'S FOOD AND FARM
SYSTEM. Lynda Simkins, Natick Community Farm.

What is a community farm? A presentation on the community farm
concept, it s role in the food and farm system, successful
regional models and opportunities...

18. I.P.M.: WHAT FARMERS AND CONSUMERS HAVE TO SAY. Molly
Anderson, School of Nutrition, Tufts University; Vicki
Van Zee, I.P.M. Certification Specialist, University of
Massachusetts Extension System.

Consumer and grower perspectives on I.P.M. -- its potential, its
problems and its role in the market place and in a sustainable
food system.

19. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: LOCAL TO GLOBAL ISSUES AND ACTION
Kathy Lawrence, Women, Food & Ag. Working Group.

National and even local agriculture policy increasingly is
driven by inter national agreements. How can citizens concerned
about shaping food systems influence intergovernmental
negotiations? How can local initiatives, alternatives and
experience inform international policy? Presentation, discussion
and strategy session.

20. To be announced