The conference evolved from a series of six annual "Transitions"
conferences. Previous conferences were aimed primarily at farmers; this
event is intended to bring farmers, local government planners, agriculture
and agribusiness professionals, extension agents, consumer advocates,
environmentalists and others together.
"The goal of the conference is to broaden the perspectives of people from
these different interest groups, and give them the skills to work
collaboratively", said suzanne Cady, the conference coordinator. "We want
the conference to be educational and inspiring, but at the same time we
want to examine issues that create conflict.
Workshops will address current controversies in agriculture such as the
effect of dairy farming on environmental quality, public concerns about
food safety, and wheteher new government regulations promote sustainable
agriculture. There will be sessions devoted to the cash grain, fruit,
vegetable, dairy, landscape, and ornamental industries.
The conference is co-sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, Agway,
Natural Resources Conservation Service (SCS), the Cornell College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell Farming Alternatives Program, The
Northeast Organic Farmers' Association of New York and several other groups.
For more information or to register for the conference contact Pam Kline,
Department of Soil, Crop and Atmospheric Science, 144 Emerson Hall,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607-255-2177 (E-mail
pak1@cce.cornell.edu)