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1st International IFOAM Conference
on Organic Animal and Plant Breeding
- BREEDING DIVERSITY - |
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Sante Fe, New Mexico, August 25-28 2009
The Call for Papers is out! Find the criteria for your contribution on the Download list and use the opportunity to directly submit it with the Abstract Submission Form.
Conference Topic
The time is right to bring together all endeavors to focus on organic breeding. Fostering the sustainable development of new successful low input breeds is urgent in the face of future challenges of food insecurity and massive threats to the livelihoods of millions of people caused by climate change. Through the conservation and promotion of Agro-Biodiversity of both animal and plant genetic resources, organic agriculture will again prove to be a viable alternative to genetically modified organisms. Both organic plant and animal breeding are therefore gaining momentum in several parts of the world. Successful organic breeding is the basis of organic production, but it is only in early phases of development.
Organic breeding includes efforts of both professional companies involved in the organic market, as well as participatory farmers’ initiatives from all around the world. The conference is aiming at encouraging the dialogue between commercial and subsistence farmers; scientists and practitioners; professional farmers and hobby gardeners/animal keepers to promote the lively exchange of experiences and perspectives on organic breeding. Even though technical aspects may differ dramatically, each field can inspire the other to develop and build upon successful strategies.
This conference provides for the opportunity to revive traditional knowledge from the global North and South and connect it with the current international organic research. Through the fusion of traditional breeding knowledge and newly developed organic breeding methods, there is a great opportunity of intercultural learning and also valuing knowledge which was kept through generations for the well-being of communities. Because of the key role women play in the selection of seeds and management of small livestock the conference will center around their knowledge and contributions. Bringing all together in one international conference explicitly highlights important thematic and geographic interdependences and strengthens the holistic approach of organic agriculture in respecting and including the voices of the world’s regions in their full diversity.
The conference will be divided into three sections for both animal and plant breeding:
1. Methods
• Technical aspects
• Breeding techniques
• Genotype environment interaction
• Selection criteria
• Breeding for farmers and hobby gardeners
2. Socio Economic aspects
• Participatory approach
• Financing
• Indigenous knowledge
• Gender related aspects
3. Legal aspects
• Registration
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Farmers Rights
Target Groups
- Animal and plant breeders and seed savers
- Governments and intergovernmental agencies
- Researchers and universities
- The organic sector
- Like-minded organizations
- Foundations and funding agencies
Conference language is English
Conference Venue and Location
The
conference will take place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the central part
of the US. Santa Fe is easily accessible from anywhere in the World,
via a major airport only 40 minutes away (Albuquerque, NM). This city
has a very active Slow Food, Farmer Market, Gardening, Organic breeding
and farming and Culinary movement. There is also a very strong
traditional agriculture movement amongst the northern Native American
tribes of New Mexico, who have an active traditional agriculture
movement and seed sovereignty plan. More: http://www.santafe.org/
Sponsor Opportunities
IFOAM
conferences are unparalleled opportunities to promote your activities.
Participants include producers, processors, traders, market experts and
representatives of leading organic companies, consultants and other
stakeholders.
Take your decision to sponsor this event as soon as
possible to fully benefit from all promotion and communication
activities. There are various sponsor opportunities to meet the needs
and strategy of your organization.
To book your conference sponsor package, please directly go to our webshop or contact
Ms Zoe Heuschkel at the IFOAM Head Office.
Tel: +49 (0) 228 92 650 12
Fax: +49 (0) 228 92 650 99
e-mail: z.heuschkel@ifoam.org
Sponsored Participants Program
IFOAM aims at including the voices of the world’s regions in their full diversity. Therefore 10% of all sponsorship donations will fund the Sponsored Participants Program.
Interested persons in applying for a travel grant are invited to complete and submit the application form.
Please note, that funds are limited and contributing participants will be considered with preference.
Conference Tours
The Santa Fe area offers many possibilities for tours:
Tour 1: Visit the small Pueblo
of Picuris on August 25
Tour 2: Visit the Plant Demonstration Plot at Seeds of Change Farm
Tour 3: Visit the Farmers' Market and surrounding organic farms
IFOAM's partner is "Seeds of Change". Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2009, this is in fact the oldest organic seed company in the United States of America and it will act as the ongoing and on-site local organizer. More: http://www.seedsofchange.com/
Plant Demonstration Plots
Seeds of Change has an Organic Research Farm and Gardens just North of Santa Fe. They offer the opportunity to plant demonstration plots of your plant and seed varieties to be able to showcase these during the conference. A field day to the location will be organised for this purpose.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please find the Checklist here or contact Seeds of Change:
Mr. Richard Bernard, e-mail: richard.bernard@effem.com
Green the Desert !
For an Organic Future !
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