Each year, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) hosts the Farming for the Future conference on sustainability in agriculture. The 20th annual event, scheduled for Feb. 2 to 5, 2011, will be held in State College, Pa. This year’s theme is “Strength From Our Roots: Claiming Our Food Systems Future.”
The event is congruent with PASA’s mission to “transform agriculture and food systems in Pennsylvania and beyond in a way that makes our farmers more viable, improves the land and restores the health and wellbeing of all our citizens.” The conference provides a space for networking throughout all levels of the food system, with workshops ranging from raw milk marketing to organic certification. The future of sustainable agriculture is addressed by speakers’ presentations, as well as training for beginning and small farmers.
This year’s keynote speaker hails from The Land Institute in Salina, Kan. Wes Jackson, the institute’s founder and director, is a fitting choice to speak on finding strength in our roots. In addition to his extensive research background in perennial grain crops and their soil-holding root systems, Jackson was the keynote speaker when the Farming for the Future conference first set its own roots 20 years ago.
Jennifer Kongsis the Managing Editor at MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. When she’s not working at the magazine, she’s likely working in her garden, on the local running trails or in her kitchen instead. You can find Jennifer on Twitteror Google+.