This event is not sponsored by the Weston A Price Foundation; we are sending this to our members as a courtesy.
 
Don’t miss the Farm and Food Leadership Conference!
 
Make plans to come to the 2012 Farm and Food Leadership Conference this September!  This two-day event will be packed with great speakers on critical issues facing food and agriculture in Texas and beyond.
 
WHEN:           Monday and Tuesday, September 10-11, 2012
WHERE:         Bastrop Convention Center, Bastrop, Texas
WHAT:           An exciting gathering of activists, farmers & ranchers, consumers, and nonprofits who care about the state of our food and food choices.  Come learn about the latest developments in agriculture and food, and get the tools you need to make a difference!
 
Early registration has been extended to August 10, so register now before fees go up!  You can register online at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/conference-2012-registration
 
AGENDA: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Keynote:  The 2X2 Pledge (Yes, we can!): We can eat our way to economic security and personal freedom, and we can do so without spending an extra dime on food or an extra dollar on taxes.  
Speaker: Michael Olson, agriculturalist, journalist, and host of Food Chain Radio
 
The Farm Bill and Corporate Consolidation of our Food System
Speaker: Patty Lovera, Food & Water Watch
 
Genetically Engineered Foods: The Latest News and Ways to Take Action.
Speakers: Howard Vlieger, Verity Farms, and additional speakers TBA
 
What Does Local Mean?  Distribution and Scaling Issues For Local Foods.
Speakers: Don Davis, Grassfed Livestock Alliance; Brad Stufflebeam, Home Sweet Farm; Jesse Griffiths, Dai Due Supper Club; Katie Pitre, Tecolote Farm; moderated by Marla Camp, Edible Austin
 
Local Challenges and Local Initiatives
Speakers: Amy Miller, City of Elgin and additional speakers TBA
 
Animal Welfare Issues in Agriculture
Speakers: Michael Olson; Andrew Gunther, Animal Welfare Approved; Bob and Darlene Stryk, Strykly Dairy
 
Seafood and Our Coastal Waters
Speaker: Diane Wilson, author and activist
 
Health Freedom: Issues for Access to Alternative Health Care
Speaker: Peter McCarthy, Executive Director of Texas Health Freedom Coalition and author of Adrenaline Nation
 
What Comes Next?  The outlook for Texas legislative session and in DC.
Speakers: Judith McGeary, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and Patty Lovera, Food & Water Watch
 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11: Activism Boot Camp
Tuesday morning will consist of interactive workshops on how to lobby and community organizing.  After a delicious lunch prepared from local and organic foods, we will have break-out sessions to work on strategy for GMOs, federal policy, and bills for the upcoming Texas legislative session.
 
There are limited seats available for the Activism Boot Camp -- come prepared to commit to activism work in the coming year!
 
REGISTRATION
Register online at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/conference-2012-registration
Or download the registration form at http://farmandranchfreedom.org/sff/registration-2012.pdf
 
SPONSORS:
Edible Austin
Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill
Edible Dallas-Ft Worth
Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Growing Good Things to Eat
Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets (Natural Grocers)
Whole Foods
Acres USA
Cedar Park & Round Rock Farmers Markets
American National Coleman Insurance Agency
Manuel's Restaurants
People’s Pharmacy
Wheatsville Food Co-Op
Austin Eco-Network
Anderle Lumber Company
Tommy & Michelle Harris
Ideal Poultry
Milam Auto Supply Co.
San Antonio Herb Society
 
SILENT AUCTION
Our silent auction gets bigger and better every year!  Come bid on books, gift certificates, farm supplies, and handcrafted goods donated from Acres USA, Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill, Goodwin Homestead, Manuel’s Restaurants, the Natural Gardener, and more!
 
 
Brought to you by the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, the Council for Healthy Food Systems, and Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association.
 
For more information, visit http://farmandranchfreedom.org/conference-2012
or call 254-697-2661.