2008 Conference
Thursday, March 6
Organic Grains & Oilseed program here
7:00pm-9:30 pm: Conference Kick-Off. Join Pat Mooney, ETC Group, and Dag Falck, Nature’s Path Foods, for their lively talk on “GMO’s and nano-technology and the threat to organics”. Includes desserts, cash bar, and silent auction.
Friday, March 7
8:30am-10:00am:
‘State of the Industry’ up-date in the Chapel (where the trade show is). Welcome by Bernard LeBlanc, MLA for Memramcook – Lakeville – Dieppe. Presenters include:
Michel Saumur, Manager of the Canadian Organic Office (CFIA), who will provide an up-date on the new Canada Organic Regulation (view powerpoint); Organic Federation of Canada update (the organization that works with CFIA on the regulation); Up-date on the revisions to the Canada Organic Standard with Roxanne Beavers, your Atlantic Canada voting representative; ACORN up-date: we’ve got a lot of projects that you want to know more about; “Where local and organic meet” Paddy Doherty addresses the shortage of Canadian organic products.
10:30am-12:00pm Workshops:
Organic milk and cheese-making (view pdf of powerpoint) with Ronald Alary, Les Fromagiers de la Table Ronde (QC)
Technologies for extending the growing season with Eric Vincter, Dubois Agrinovation.
Record-keeping for the organic audit and integrity with Rowena Hopkins and Roxanne Beavers
Lunch
1:15pm- 2:30pm Workshops:
Managing forages for optimal pasture and livestock performance with Mike Price, NB Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture, and Herman Mentink, Kipawo Holsteins
Farmer perspective: My season extension strategy with Amy Leblanc, Whitehill Farm (ME).
How to go Organic in the Maritimes with Janet Wallace and Bob Fraser
3:00pm-4:30pm Workshops:
Directed discussion on pastured poultry. Facilitators: Karen Davidge, Good Spring Farm (NB), and John Duynisveld, Holdanca Farms (NS).
Improving Profitability with Post-Harvest Handling & Storage with Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Farm (ME), Robert Prange, AAFC, and Allison Grant, SeaSpray Atlantic Organic Farmers Co-op.
Directed discussion on mesclun mix. Facilitated by Rowena Hopkins, Amarosia Organic Garden (NB).
7pm: Organic Banquet, Keynote, and Gerrit Loo Award.
Keynote address: “Embracing the Organic Future” with Marc Schurman, Schurman Farm (PEI), winner of the Atlantic Region Outstanding Young Farmer 2006.
Saturday, March 8
7:45am ACORN Annual General Meeting
9:30am-10:30am Workshops:
Developing farm and garden systems with bio-dynamic principles with Charles Hubbard, Shinimicas Rogation Centre (NS).
Local AND Organic: Maritime Food Miles with Marla MacLeod, Ecology Action Centre, and Shannon Herbert, Falls Brook Centre
Role of Seeds in Organic Systems with Jim Gerritsen (ME) and Mary Alice Johnson (BC), Organic Seed Alliance
11:00am-12:30pm Workshops:
Herb production and value-added strategies with Amy Leblanc, Whitehill Farm (ME).
Creative financing: growing your organic business (view powerpoint) with Tom Manley, Homestead Organics
Getting Started in Organic Seed Production with Tom Stearns, High Mowing Seeds (VT)
Lunch
1:30pm-3:00pm Workshops:
Enhanced growing with beneficial insects and birds with David Blanchard, Dalhousie University and Flying Pond Farm.
Developing your apprenticeship program with Mary Alice Johnson, SOIL Director (BC), and Yoko Hayakawa, SOIL NS.
Technical Panel on Organic Seed Production with Andrea Berry, Hope Seeds and Perennials (NB), Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Farm (ME), Tom Stearns, High Mowing Seeds (VT), Greg Wingate, Maple Farm (NB).
3:10pm-4:15pm Wrap-up with Tom Stearns, High Mowing Seeds
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