Friday, Feb 19, 2010 until Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 7:30 AM to 10 PM

In many ways, Athens is the epicenter of Georgia’s agricultural wisdom, primarily because of the University of Georgia’s renowned agriculture school. “Reclaiming Agriculture” will engage the energy of the Athens good food community, especially focusing on the students, faculty and farms of UGA and the robust cultural scene of the city through farm tours, expert speakers, and in-depth workshops on sustainable food and farms.

Highlights include:

• 10 farm tours
• 70+ presenters on topics including composting, beekeeping, mushrooms, herbs, cheesemaking, farm labor, farm-to-school* and much more
• 70 exhibitors and an Expo open to the public for the first time in conference history
• local, sustainable meals
• A dream team of southern chefs led by James Beard Award winner Hugh Acheson
• 2 book signings
• 1 Farmers Feast featuring Carlo Petrini
• Plus a children’s program, silent auction, live music, local crafts, seed swap, and more!

Public registration opened January 8, 2010 and spaces are filling fast.

One Professional Learning Unit (1 PLU) is available for teachers who participate on both days.  For complete details, please contact Erin Croom prior to the conference.

*Farm-to-School Sessions:
Case Studies and Best Practices
Anupama Joshi, co-director of the National Farm to School Program & Erin Croom, Georgia Organics Farm to School Coordinator
Join Anupama and Erin as they share the best farm to school practices in Georgia and from coast to coast. Farmers, nutrition directors, students, and parents will hear tips on how to start, sustain, and grow farm to school programs in their communities, and get updated on the latest tools and resources.  Recent farm to school policy and research will also be discussed.

The Rethinkers: New Orleans Youth Take on School Food
The Rethinkers are a dynamic group of New Orleans middle school students who want to rethink and rebuild their schools after Hurricane Katrina. Recently, the Rethinkers tackled the state of school food with chefs, farmers, architects, and artists to create 12 recommendations for change. Four representatives share advice on how to get the attention of adults, and how to positively affect change from the ground up.

Connecting to the Curriculum
Lindsay Wyczalkowski, Mary Lin Elementary 3rd grade teacher; Joe Green, Agriculture Education and FFA teacher at Pope High School; Kenya Greer, Cascade Elementary School 1st grade teacher
Moderator: Nichole Lupo, Seeds of Nutrition
Three Georgia teachers share how they are incorporating food, farm, and nutrition activities into their standards-based curriculum, and why they feel it’s important to teach these concepts amidst pressure to “teach to test.” This workshop is a perfect fit for parents, community volunteers, and farmers who want to get a sneak peek into how kids are learning about good food.

Rooting the Farmer in Farm to School
Joe Reynolds – Love is Love Farm, Brad Carlton – Carlton Farms, Emily Jackson – Appalachian Sustainability Project
Moderator: Will Harris, White Oak Pastures
Farmers are a core component of successful farm to school programs, but it’s often challenging for them to determine if it is a good fit for their business. This panel discussion will explore three avenues farmers can pursue in adopting farm to school: selling to schools, offering farm field trips, and developing relationships with students.

Location:
Classic Center
300 North Thomas Street
Athens, GA 30601

Presented by:
Georgia Organics
P.O. Box 8924
Atlanta, GA 31106

Phone:
(Event Phone)
(678) 702-0400
(Event Phone)
(678) 702-0401 (fax)