4th Annual Farm & Food Leadership Conference

4th Annual Farm & Food Leadership Conference

"Taking Back Control of Our Food Supply"

WHEN: September 13-14, 2010 (Monday-Tuesday)

WHERE: Mexican-American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701. MAP

WHAT: An exciting gathering of activists, farmers & ranchers, consumers, and nonprofits who care about where our food comes from. Come learn about the latest developments in agriculture and food, and get the tools you need to help make a difference!

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is closed. We have a few spots available for walk-ins to attend the event, but the walk-in registration will not include lunch

Agenda: Click here

Keynote by Jim Hightower

Monday, September 13

Registration begins at 8 am

Developing Food Policy for Food Access and Sustainability: Karen Banks, Sustainable Food Center; Rob Borowski, Texas Food Policy Roundtable; Marla Camp, Travis County/Austin Sustainable Food Policy Board

What Do Labels Mean? From Local to Grassfed to Restaurant Ratings: Don Davis, American Grassfed Association; Suzanne Santos, Sustainable Food Center; Katie Kraemer Pitre, Tecolote Farm

Distribution and Scaling: How Do We Take Local Foods to the Next Step?: Brenton Johnson, Johnsons’ Backyard Garden; Chris Romano, Whole Foods Market; Mathew O’Hayer, Vital Farms; Elizabeth Winslow, Farmhouse Delivery; Sue Beckwith, Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association and Shades of Green Farm

Raw Milk: What is it, why people want it, and Texas laws: Bob Stryk, Stryk Jersey Farm; Dr. Mary Traverse, D.C., The Wellness Studio; Dr. Will Falconer, DVM, Alternative for Animal Health

Codex: What is Really Happening With Our Supplements?: Scott Tips, National Health Federation

Food Safety: State and Federal Regulation, Existing and Coming: Judith McGeary, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance; Ms. Deborah Marlow, Texas Department of State Health Services; Additional speaker tba

How to Work with Your Legislators and Lobby: Russell Langley, Langley & McGeary, PLLC

DC Update: Preview of the Farm Bill and Subsidy Issues: Patty Lovera, Food and Water Watch; Kathy Ozer, National Family Farm Coalition

Tuesday, September 14

Registration begins at 8 am

Genetically Modified Foods: What They Mean for the Environment and Your Health: Howard Vlieger, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance

How to Tell Your Story – Messaging for Effective Activism: Colin Rowan, Rowan Communications

Water Issues: What’s The Law and How Can You Get Involved?: Katie Kraemer Pitre, Tecolote Farm; Susana Canseco, Braun and Associates; Drew Miller, Kemp Smith, LLP

Slaughterhouse and Meat Processing: Federal and State Regulation: Patty Lovera, Food and Water Watch; Sue Beckwith, Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; Dr. Butch Johnson, Texas Department of State Health Services

Lunchtime keynote by Jim Hightower

Corporate Control of Our Food Supply: What Is USDA and DOJ Doing?: Kathy Ozer, National Family Farm Coalition; Patty Lovera, Food and Water Watch

Social Networking: Lisa Goddard, Capital Area Food Bank

Animal Identification: What We’ve Won and What’s Still to Fight: Judith McGeary, FARFA

Slow Money: Investing in Local Food Systems: Mason Arnold, Greenling, Joanne Marino, Slow Money Texas; Scott Collier, venture capitalist

Wrap up – What comes next? The outlook for the Texas legislative session and Congress