“Roots, Shoots and Boots:  Healthy Farms, Healthy People from the Ground Up”

November 13 – 14, 2015

Four Points Sheraton, Manhattan, Kansas

Mark your calendars! This two day conference promises to have something for a broad spectrum of attendees—from conventional and organic farmers, to beginning and established farmers and local food advocates and community leaders.

The entire first day will be dedicated to a Soil Health Forum: The Nexus between Cover Crops, No Till and Organic Systems, focusing on the nexus between cover crops, no till and organic systems. Featured speakers include Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute’s Research Director, who will speak on organic no till and opportunities in organic; and Klaas Martens, who operates a 1400 acre certified organic grain farm near Penn Yan, NY.  Klaas is well known and respected in organic circles for his broad knowledge of cover crops, crop rotations and heirloom grains.

The second day will feature Keynote speaker David Hunt, a nationally recognized teacher and leader in organizing for social change. Hunt will set a tone of action for policy development, issue & community organizing and community building throughout a packed day of diverse sessions and speakers. Breakout sessions will focus on local food systems, community food solutions and economic opportunities, farm transitions and beginning farmer opportunities, health-agriculture connections, state and federal food policy, and more.

The agenda and speakers for both days are being developed and finalized so please reach out to Natalie Fullerton or Mary Fund at 866-579-5469 for any questions about each day’s agenda.

Call for Sponsors

The conference each year would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors.  Sponsorship allows KRC to produce a top quality conference complete with renowned speakers, diverse workshops, exhibits, locally sourced food and other opportunities that create a positive, meaningful experience for conference participants.  Several different levels and benefits of sponsorship are available now with each level providing a unique way to support the conference.

To sign up to become a sponsors visit www.kansasruralcenter.org/conference-2015.  The agenda and speakers for both days are being developed and finalized so please visit the website above for updates and information as it develops or contact Natalie Fullerton at nfullerton@kansasruralcenter.org or (866) 579-5469.