2010 20.4 Come Kick Up Your Heels & Learn!

Tilth Producers Annual Conference, Nov. 12-14; Fort Worden State Park, Pt. Townsend, WA

Relax after a long season, reinvigorate your farm practices, and rejoice in good friends at the Tilth Producers Annual Conference, Nov. 12-14 at Ft. Worden State Park in Pt. Townsend, WA.

This year’s theme—Organic Agriculture: The Root of Rural Development—celebrates the communities and farmers who make up our food system.

Friday symposium

Washington State University’s Friday symposium, Growing Grains for Food, Feed & Malt explores the production and marketing practices for grains. Speakers include George De Pasquale of Essential Baking Company and Nash Huber of Nash’s Organic Produce.

Friday evening sessions include recent policies affecting small farm policy with Ellen Gray, measuring the impact of organic farming with David Granatstein, and Stepping Up to the Plate, a film and discussion on local farm-to-cafeteria efforts.

Keynote

Saturday morning, keynote speaker Chuck Hassebrook, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska, shares his vision for a new food system that honors rural life.

Workshops galore

Saturday workshops explore diverse facets of farming. Amy Sills, Tahoma Farms, along with Sue Ujcic and Anna Salafasky of Helsing Junction will discuss the challenges of connecting farmers and consumers in How to Make a CSA Pay, Dave Muehleisen will talk about the life cycle and organic management practices for Spotted Wing Drosophila, and Ron Johnston-Rodriguez will discuss converting ag vehicles and equipment to electric power.

Sunday opens with the Tilth Producers of Washington annual board meeting and elections, and another full day of workshops. Topics include Alternative Control Methods for Crucifer Flea Beetle, Forage and Fodder Crops for Livestock, and a farmer roundtable on pest management strategies.

Eat, drink, dance, & be merry!

Saturday evening brings a wine tasting, carrot taste off and silent auction. Need we say more? We’ll offer Washington’s finest organic wines and a wide selection of auction items, from drip irrigation supplies to seed and getaways in Mexico! All proceeds benefit Tilth Producers of Washington, so come and bid!

The silent auction and wine tasting are followed by a 50-mile banquet featuring the crème de la crème of the Olympic Peninsula.

After tucking into the grub, grab your dancing shoes and join Jangle Bones, a mountain blues band that promises to tap into your “inner hillbilly.”

Registration & accommodations

Register now for this weekend of good food, good friends, and good spirits!

Contact for more info or check out the web site tilthproducers.org/programs/conference/scholarships/.

Accommodations range from tent camping to Captain’s quarters and are available through Fort Worden State Park. Learn more at www.experiencefortworden.com/event.php?413905.

Childcare

Worried you won’t be able to take in the fun because of your kiddos? Never fear! Amy Sills is organizing parent cooperative childcare for the weekend.

To learn more: .

For more information

Questions? Contact , call 206.632.7506, or
visit tilthproducers.org/programs/conference.

Tags: Childcare, Chuck Hassebrook, Conference, CSA, Fort Worden, Organic Agriculture, Washington State University, Wine Tasting, WSU

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