Ag Opportunities

Volume 20, Number 1
January 2009

Missouri Organic Annual Conference
“Winter Training for Rookies and Veterans”
Feb 21, 2009
Jefferson City, MO

The annual Missouri Organic Association Conference will be held Saturday, February 21, at Lincoln University's Carver Farm in Jefferson City, MO.  This year's conference will have two tracks.  One track will focus on information for experienced producers with the second track focusing on information for beginning or prospective producers of organic food.

The goal of the Missouri Organic Association is to bring together Missouri organic growers, gardeners, consumers and all advocates of organic methods in a united effort to spread an understanding of the importance of a healthy food supply system and to promote the growing and eating of organic foods.

The agenda for the conference is still being finalized.  At this time we have the following speakers confirmed.

Track for experienced producers:

  1. Organic Dairy Production, Dr. Scott Poock, MU State Extension Vet Med Specialist
  2. Selling Raw Milk, Rachel Bax, Missouri Milk Board
  3. Organic Grain Production, Joel Gruver, Western Illinois University   
Track for beginning and prospective producers:
  1. Grow Your Farm, Dean Wilson, MU Extension Ag and Rural Development Specialist, Jefferson County
  2. Small Farmers' Outreach Program, Sanjun Gu, Lincoln University, State Horticulture Specialist
  3. Missouri Dept. of Agriculture Programs for Prospective and Beginning Farmers, Lane McConnell, Marketing Specialist, Missouri Dept. of Agriculture
  4. Growing Growers and Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture (KCCUA), Katherine Kelly, Executive Director of KCCUA
  5. EarthDance Organic Farming Apprenticeship Program, Molly Rockamann, EarthDance, Ferguson, MO
  6. Organic Certification, Sue Baird
Topics to be presented to all attendees:
  1. Soils, Bob Kremer, Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
  2. Marketing Opportunities - Presentations by buyers of a wide variety of food items from across the state. This will include farm-to-school and farmers' market opportunities.
Other topics of interest will include small fruits, vegetables, and livestock.  Also included is a trade show with exhibits from extension, research and agencies, as well as buyers of organic products and producers.  An organic lunch will be served.  For additional information go to www.missouriorganic.org or call 573-882-1905.

[ Ag Opportunities Index ] - [ AgEBB Home Page ] - [ Comments ]