Farming as if People Matter: How to Feed Ourselves, Build New Farms and Adapt to a Changing World

 Kansas Rural Center   |  Farm & Food Conference 2013   

Saturday, November 2, 3013   

Meridian Center  |  1420 E. Broadway Ct.  |  Newton, Kansas

 To register for the conference, click here.

8:30 a.m.        Registration Opens

9 a.m.             Keynote:  “When Ecology Replaces Agronomy for Food Production”

                             Wes Jackson, President of the Land Institute in Salina, KS

Jackson and the Land Institute’s primary work has been to develop a perennial polyculture using nature as model. Jackson is the author of several books including Nature as Measure  and Consulting the Genius of the Place; An Ecological Approach to Agriculture, and is internationally recognized as a leader in sustainable agriculture.  

 10:15 a.m.     Break

Session Tracks:   

[FT] – Farm Transitions                [FM] – Farm Management      

[LM] – Local Food Marketing     [CF] – Community Food Solutions    

[PP] – Food & Farming Policy

 10:30 a.m.     Workshops, Session 1

 [FT]     Family Matters: Handling hard conversations about family farm transitions

Practical advice and resources for navigating difficult conversations — for landowners seeking to leave a legacy as well as potential heirs who care about the direction of the family operation.

[FM]    Unlocking the Secrets of Soil

Basic training in the how, what and why of soil function and biology, including how cover crops and other practices can improve the soil’s ability to infiltrate water, resist drought and erosion, improve nutrient cycling, and produce healthy, abundant crops.

[CF]     Farm 2 School: Challenges and Opportunities in Kansas

An overview of farm-to-school and school gardens in Kansas, including the challenges and opportunities in placing fresh foods in the fingers of our children. 

[PP]     The Farm Bill As If People Matter: the changing policy landscape in Washington

The Farm Bill affects farm and food issues across the country. Learn how it could help build a new agricultural paradigm  for local and regional production, conserve and protect natural resources, benefit beginning farmers, provide a food safety net for our most vulnerable, and help farms provide healthy food for all.

 11:45            Lunch

               Water + Energy Progress Awards; The Climate + Energy Project

 1 p.m.           Workshops, Session 2

 [FT]     How to Farm with Limited Access to Land, Credit or Capital

Hear from experienced farmers who have advice, ideas, and resources for acquiring the resources you need to begin or continue farming utilizing the means surrounding you.

[FM]    New Issues with Crop Insurance for Diversified Sustainable and Organic Farmers

Crop insurance is not just for commodity grain producers anymore. NCAT specialist Jeff Schahczenski will provide information on new crop insurance options for diversified sustainable, specialty crop, and organic farmers.

[LM]    Emerging Opportunities for Direct Marketing Farms in Kansas

Learn about the current, new, and upcoming opportunities to expand local markets for agricultural products in Kansas, from “Food Hubs” to food trucks to “Restaurant Supported Agriculture” (RSA) and more.  Hear an overview from the Kansas Department of Agriculture about its new initiatives and regulatory change around local foods.

[CF]     Community Gardens: Growing Food Access, Growing Neighborhoods

Community gardens provide food, recreation, and in some cases, safer neighborhoods. However, starting a garden requires take time, funding, and leadership. This session will cover how to obtain funding, select a model that may work best for your community, and other organizational requirements for successfully growing a community garden.

[PP]     Emerging Policy Issues in Kansas: Farming, Water, Energy & More

An expert roundtable reviews issues of concern to Kansans, including budget, finance and tax issues, renewable energy including transmission line debates, and potential changes to our corporate farming law.

2:15 p.m.       Break

2:30 p.m.       Workshops, Session 3

[FT]     Pollinators on the Farm:  A Mutually Beneficial Relationship

Honeybee colony collapse is recognized as a growing threat to our food and farming system. Learn about bees and their fellow pollinators, why they matter, and how we can help them thrive in Kansas.

[FM]    Integrating Cover Crops into Your Specialty Crop Operation

KSU Horticulture Specialist Cary Rivard will provide education about how to incorporate cover crops and rotations into your vegetable and fruit operation or your hoophouse to build soil and raise healthy crops.

[FM]    Integrating Cover Crops into Crop and Livestock Operations

Gail Fuller’s vision and passion for farming led him to adopt a new model for his farm: farming in nature’s image. Gail will share knowledge gained from his Emporia-area diversified farming operation that includes corn, soybeans, wheat, field peas, forage peas, sunflowers and a variety of cover crops, and livestock.

[LM]    Pricing Your Products for Local Markets

Review principles of cost accounting, competitive analysis and pricing farm products for local markets, to ensure you are keeping profitability at the forefront of your farm marketing efforts.

[CF] [PP] “Democracy in Action:” — Driving a civil discourse around farming and food

Is it possible to have productive conversation that advances collective understanding around farming and food issues, given today’s fractured political climate? This session will address techniques and topics across our representative democracy and its institutions, and how the grassroots can grow a voice to help advance positive change.

3:45 p.m.       Break

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.     Closing Remarks and Networking Sessions

Women on the Farm Lean in Circle –Network with fellow farm females and explore the unique barriers and opportunities Kansas women face when pursuing careers in agriculture. Kansas women represent only 28 percent of Kansas farm operators, yet we can have a loud voice in our food and farming communities. Let’s circle ‘round and “lean in” to our stories and solutions together.

Beginner-Established Farmer Connections – For many beginning farmers, gaining access to experience, land, equipment, and other valuable capital needed to successfully farm can be challenging. For more established farmers, transitioning the legacy of the farm to a new generation may depend upon finding new farmers. Join this networking session that’s intended to drive these connections while we explore the challenges faced by each of these groups in Kansas.

Emerging Issues: in Kansas Food & Farming — Conference attendees will have the opportunity throughout the day to identify topics around which they would like to gather for brainstorming, networking and further conversation. Or, submit your own suggestion for a networking session around a topic not covered! 

For a print version of this agenda, click here.

To register for the conference, click here.