5th Annual Focus on Farming Conference "Breaking New Ground" Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 Lynnwood Convention Center

Focus on Farming IV:  2007 Conference Recap

The fourth annual Focus on Farming Conference, "From Soils to Sales," took place on Thursday, November 29 at the Lynnwood Convention Center.   Thanks to all who attended and the many sponsors, supporters, staff and volunteers who contributed behind the scenes to create a memorable and inspiring day. 

While the actual attendance is not confirmed, an estimated 600 people participated in the conference!

Stay tuned for more information on Focus on Farming V, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2008.

Here are some key links:

Thanks to TV Washington for filming portions of the 2007 Focus on Farming Conference.  Visit the TV Washington website to see the morning (Congressman Rick Larsen and WSU's Chad Kruger) and afternoon (Dr. Fred Kirschenmann) keynote presentations (media player required).

Press Coverage:

Seattle Times, December 5:  Farmers' shared vision includes a great menu (cover story); Farm bill could mean big boost here; Soil carbon, climate among global changes impacting agriculture (Christopher Schwartzen)

Snohomish County Tribune, December 5:  Farming conference zeroes in on climate change (Katie Murdoch)

KPLU (National Public Radio), November 30 (MP3):  NW farmers confront climate change (Tom Banse)

The Everett Herald, November 30:  Conference in Lynnwood challenges farmers to break new ground (Sarah Jackson) (see her blog piece here)

Pre-event Press Coverage:

The Everett Herald, October 18:  Focus on Farming set for November 29

The Seattle Times Snohomish County edition, November 14:  Forum to focus on local agriculture

The Bellingham Herald, November 21:  Focus on Farming conference will address climate change, marketing (pdf) (Dave Gallagher)

Op-Ed:  Everett Herald, November 24:  From Soil to Sales - A focus on farming's future (Tristan Klesick, Klesick Family Farm/Organic Produce Shoppe)

The Everett Herald, November 28:  Biz tips at farm conference (Yoshiaki Nohara)

Snohomish Tribune, November 28:  Farming conference focuses on changing industry (pdf) (Katie Murdoch)

Speaker Information (Note - handouts and presentations will be posted as they're made available):

Afternoon Keynote:  Dr. Fred Kirschemann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University (November 29 speaking notes to come in late December):  http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/about/staff.htm

Morning Keynote:  Chad Kruger, Climage Friendly Farming(TM) Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources, Washington State University, http://cff.wsu.edu/

Breakout session "Selling Local-How Local is Replacing Organic":  Charles Kuperus, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture:  http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/

To see more about the 2007 conference, follow the links below: