2017 Annual Tilth Conference
November 10 – 12, Hilton Hotel, Vancouver, WA
Application Deadline: July 30, 2017
About the Conference:
The annual Tilth Conference takes place every November. Over the course of three days, farmers, food system professionals, researchers and educators have the opportunity to learn and network. Covering a range of scales, skill levels, and interests, knowledgeable and experienced presenters speak on topics such as crop production, pest and disease management, marketing, certifications, land access, urban agriculture, and opportunities and challenges in sustainable and organic agriculture. An industry trade show takes place throughout the weekend as well as a poster session, farm tours, and several social events providing attendees with numerous networking opportunities.
Presentation Details:
The goal of the conference educational sessions is to meet the informational needs of sustainable and organic producers and other agricultural professionals at both beginning and advanced levels. Presentations that focus on a specific topic, skill, or system will be given preference (e.g., a workshop about management of one or two pests would be preferred over one that attempts to discuss all the different pests that affect a crop). Below are suggested focus topics for presentations. Additional topics may be considered.
- Organic / sustainable livestock production
- Organic / sustainable production methods for fruit, herbs, floriculture, or nursery crops
- Pest, disease, and weed management
- Agricultural information in the digital age
- Marketing and business planning
- Food safety, certifications, and regulations
- Land access
- Labor management
- Barriers to entry
- Equity and social justice
The conference program will include a variety of presentation formats:
- Seminar-style presentations. Traditional presentations of 20 – 30 minutes in length will be organized into themed “tracks.” Selected presentation proposals will be invited to deliver hour-long presentations and/or serve on panel discussions.
- Hands-on / in-depth workshops. Topics suitable for extensive audience interaction (such as Q&A, technical assistance, etc.) will be organized into themed workshops of variable length – from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
- Poster presentations. Posters sharing information on topics relevant to sustainable and organic agriculture will be displayed throughout the conference with an evening session for discussion and networking. Students are especially encouraged to share project outcomes and current research in poster form.
Seminar-style and workshop presenters should expect 30 – 100 people to attend each session. Presentations may include PowerPoint slides and other visual aids, though this is not necessary if presenters wish to employ a more interactive, discussion-based approach. Poster presenters should arrive with their posters on Saturday morning. Proposals not selected for oral presentations may be invited to contribute posters.
Seminar-style and workshop presenters will be compensated with discounted conference registration.
