Farm & Food Leadership Conference | Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance

Save the date for the 7th Annual Farm and Food Leadership Conference on September 22-23, 2013. This year’s conference is taking place in Bastrop, Texas at the Bastrop Convention Center. This unique conference focuses on the policies and regulations affecting our farms and our food.

Hear top speakers on a variety of issues including the 2013 Farm Bill, genetically modified foods (GMOs), FDA food safety regulations, corporate control of our food system, local food initiatives, raw milk, water…and more!
Participate in a hands-on activism workshop led by experienced and expert citizen lobbyists
Network with individuals and businesses who care about our local farms and food
Enjoy local foods prepared by nationally acclaimed chef Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: FRANCIS THICKE

Francis Thick and his wife, Susan, own and operate an 80-cow, grass-based, organic dairy near Fairfield, Iowa. They have a processing plant on their farm where they process all the milk from their cows. In the processing plant they produce bottled milk, cheese and yogurt which they market through grocery stores and restaurants in their local community. All their milk products are sold within four miles of their farm.

After completing his Ph.D., Francis worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., serving as the National Program Leader for Soil Science for the USDA-Extension Service. Francis and Susan returned to full-time farming in 1992 in the farming operation they own and operate today.

Thicke has received multiple awards and honors, most recently the 2012 MOSES Organic Farmer of the Year, 2009 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture, and the 2007 Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award from the Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Information on the sessions, panelists, and more coming soon.

THANK YOU to the sponsors and silent auction donors who have committed so far!

Download a sponsorship information packet or a silent auction donation form.