Conference

Tilth Producers Annual Conference

Keynote | Sponsor | Trade Show

Mark your Calendars! Tilth Producers Annual Conference is coming soon!

Nourishing the Future: Cultivating our Farming Legacy November 8 -10, 2013 at the Convention Center in Yakima, Washington

We’re back on the east side this year, bringing Tilth Producers’ popular annual event to the Yakima Convention Center. Our conference attracts agriculture professionals and farmers hungry for knowledge and looking for opportunities to network with others – and the second weekend in November in Yakima is just that. Don’t to miss this once-a-year chance to connect with friends, discuss the season, and gain new information to plan a successful future.

This action-packed event is Washington’s largest gathering of the sustainable agriculture industry, with more than 400 growers, businesses, researchers, students and advocates in attendance. We’re proud to bring you this year’s conference: Nourishing the Future: Cultivating our Farming Legacy.

Anticipated highlights include:

Masumoto Family Farm is a 4th generation certified organic farm in California’s Central Valley. Mas is the author of seven books, including the acclaimed “Epitaph for a Peach”, and his latest, “Wisdom of the Last Farmer”, and is also a regular columnist for the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

We are honored to have Mas and Nikiko joining us, bringing their wisdom, experience, and special storytelling talents to our Tilth conference. They will share their individual perspectives of how their family farm affects their inner lives and will also conduct a workshop on inter-generational transfer of farming knowledge and skills, along with transference of the farm itself.

Mas and Nikiko will convey their philosophy of nurturing the land that sustains them. Their family ties: to the farm, to each other as individuals, and to their farming community – stand out as strong characteristics that drive their day-to-day decisions. Their four-generation journey on this special farm is fascinating: from the “original” organic practices of Mas’ grandfather, to the “conventional” period of quick-fix farming, then “back” to the enlightened, organic farming practices they use today to sustainably farm 80 acres. Mas and Nikiko will share stories of their family’s – and the farm’s – history, including the heartbreaking Relocation Camp time during World War II for his grandparents. Over the years there have been crop failures, successes, market changes, and the tough, risky decisions the family has had to make – and to stick by. Now, Nikiko is poised to take on the mantle of the farm from her parents and continue this family’s amazing story of farming.

  • Twenty-five topical workshops, including tracks for Spanish speaking farmers, beginning farmers, and experienced growers. Plus focused roundtable discussions.

There’s a plethora of wonderful research and experience to share – more than we can truly fit into just one weekend. A sampling of some of the workshops you’ll be able to choose from: weed management, seed production, small grains, pest management, mixed animal feed, crop planning, farm financing, draft horse farming, certified kitchens, and renewal energy for the farm. Plus we’ll provide updates on several issues: food safety, NOSB activity (including a fire blight update), and the latest policy updates.

  • Poultry-focused Livestock Symposium, plus a full day High Tunnel Tour

Our all-day sessions on Friday provide an opportunity to dig deep into a topic. This year choose either the poultry-focused livestock symposium, or join educators on a visit to area farms to see and discuss different types of high tunnels for production. Lunch is provided.

  • Organic meals and social events, including music and dancing, an organic wine tasting, and a gathering with “Organic Elders” to enjoy stories and organic beer and cider.

Need we say more? You come to learn, but also to cut loose and have some fun with old friends and new. We promise you the social activities will be memorable. We know the food is what everyone loves: organic and local contributions that are transformed into delicious meals. And we allow ample meal times to ensure plenty of opportunity for networking and learning with one another.

Save the date: November 8-10 – and we’ll see you in Yakima!

We need volunteers now! If you are interested in getting involved please contact Sofia via e-mail at: sofia@tilthproducers.org

The 2012 Conference Audio is now archived in our library. To listen to audio files or review workshop offerings please visit our library.