The Third Annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference was a great event! The speakers addressed issues critical to both farmers and consumers, including raw milk, the food safety bills in Congress, genetically modified foods, the National Animal Identification System, climate change, organic certification, and local food systems. The attendees also learned more about how to reach the media, social networking, and lobbying. There was a lot of enthusiasm for continuing the discussions and activism after the conference, and we're looking forward to everything that will grow out of it in the coming year!
DVDs are now available! Download the order form here
AGENDA
Monday, September 14
Genetically Modified Foods and Mammal Health -- Howard Vlieger, Verity Farms
Media Strategy for Grassroots Organizations and Individuals -- Brian Cummings, Cummings & Associates, and Susan Leibrock, Sustainable Food Center
Food Safety Bills and Congressional Update -- Patty Lovera, Food & Water Watch
National Animal Identification System -- Judith McGeary, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
Breakout Sessions
- Creating a social network, led by Jeff Hathaway
- Food policy councils, led by Marla Camp
- Slaughterhouse regulations, led by Patty Lovera
Certified Organic or Not Certified? How Do Farmers and Consumers Make The Choice?
Panel: Robert Hutchins of Rehoboth Ranch; Bill McCranie of Chickamaw Farms; Leslie McKinnon, Independent Consultant; Dave Engel, Oregon Tilth
Keynote: Health and Economic Benefits of Raw Milk -- Sally Fallon, Weston A Price Foundation
Tuesday, September 15
Texas 2009 Legislative session: new laws affecting agriculture and food -- Judith McGeary, FARFA
Climate Change and Agriculture
Panel: Andy Wilson, Public Citizen; Malcolm Beck, founder of Garden-Ville and noted author; Leighton Steward, geologist and author of Fire, Ice, and Paradise
Breakout sessions
- Raw milk safety issues, led by Sally Fallon
- Farmers market issues, led by Sustainable Food Center
- Educating people about GMOs, led by Howard Vlieger
How to Lobby Effectively -- Bonnie Bruce, Legislative Director for Texas State Representative Solomons
Community Food Access:
WIC and Food Stamps at Farmers Markets
Farm-to-School Programs
Raising Food at Home
Gold Sponsors ($500-$1,499)
Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill
The Pearl
Silver Sponsors ($300-$499)
Benefactor Sponsors ($150-$299)
Supporting Sponsors ($50-$149)
Bradley Farms
Sponsoring Organizations
Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association
Food Donations
Don and Debbie Davis raise Texas Longhorns near Tarpley, Texas. They market grassfed beef through their company Bandera Grassland and are staunch advocates for the preservation of Texas Longhorn cattle in their genetically pure, historically correct state. They are also advocates for sustainable agriculture: a holistic approach that rewards first the soil, then native plant life, varieties of domestic and wild animal species, and ultimately the production of wholesome, uncompromised food. Bandera Grassland provided 100% grass-fed ground beef. www.dwdlonghorns.com and www.BanderaGrassland.com
Full Quiver Farms produces hand made cheeses, grass-fed meats, and farm fresh eggs. The whole family works together, making cheese, milking cows, caring for livestock, and gathering eggs, to provide good food for friends and neighbors. It’s more than good food – it’s a way of life! Full Quiver provided pastured, whey-fed pork shoulder roasts. 903/498-3884
Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms is located in Gonzales, Texas, the cradle of Texas independence. This family operation prides itself on consistently producing a quality mushroom and servicing their customers with a high level of commitment. They enjoy offering Texans a nutritious and tasty product to add to their meals. Kitchen Pride has nightly delivery service to most Texas markets. www.kitchenpride.com
Loncito’s Lamb is all grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free and tender. Produced on Twin Oaks Ranch, owned and operated by his family in Dinero, Loncito's lambs graze year-round on irrigated pasture giving them a unique tender and mild flavor. Loncito provided 100% grass-fed lamb shanks. 361/438-1289
Richardson Farms is run by a multi-generation farming family. They are conservation minded in their farming efforts and care deeply about the health and well-being of their animals. All of the livestock are in large open areas/pastures and are free to interact with each other. Richardson Farms grinds their own pig feed from grain raised on the farm. The corn is raised using the conservation tillage techniques. Richardson Farms provided pastured pork shoulder roasts. www.richardsonfarms.com
Betsy Ross’s Grassfed Beef is grass-fed beef at its finest! Tender, nutrient dense, tended with respect. Their vision is to produce healthy, excellent meats for their family, friends, and customers, and to return the land to a balanced state in terms of soil fertility, quality forages, animal health and enhanced quality of our lives. Ross’s beef is hormone, pesticide and antibodic free. Betsy Ross provided 100% grass-fed ground beef. www.rossfarm.com
Thunderheart Bison are free-ranging over 13,000 acres of South Texas grassland, never confined to feed-lots, never injected with or fed growth hormones, steroids, or other supplements. Thunderheart’s philosophy is one of minimal interference with their herd. To ensure the quality of the product and reduce stress, all animals are field-harvested under the supervision of a licensed inspector from the Texas Department of Health. Thunderheart is certified Animal Welfare Approved. Thunderheart Bison provided 100% grassfed bison. www.thunderheartbison.com
Veldhuizen Texas Farmstead Cheese is a small family farm that believes in careful care of the natural resources, commitment to quality in caring for our animals, and making the finest quality cheese. At the farm, contented cows graze green pastures. These cows give rich golden milk which is made into delicious, handcrafted artisan cheese. The Veldhuizens donated the cheese for the meals and the cheese plate. www.veldhuizencheese.com
Whole Foods provided the organic beans, organic rice, and Allegro Fair Trade Organic coffee. www.wholefoodsmarket.com
H-E-B provided the organic greens, organic fruit, pastries, teas, and service items. www.heb.com
Farmers at the Downtown Austin Farmers Market donated the fresh zucchini and squash.
Catering was provided by Brian and Elise Montgomery, Texas Farm to Table
