PULLMAN, Wash. A conference is scheduled for February 10-12, 2009 at the Shilo Inn in Richland, Wash. to plan a sustainable future for farmers, ranchers and rural communities in the Pacific Northwest.
Participants will review their experiences with sustainability, highlight lessons learned, and craft a plan to sustain Pacific Northwest agriculture and rural communities.
“The plan will address the interests of decision makers in families, organizations, businesses, cooperatives, communities, higher education, government agencies and the media who influence the future of the region’s agriculture and natural resources,” said Don Nelson, WSU Extension beef specialist and a member of the conference planning committee. “We hope everyone interested in rural sustainability will come.”
Graduates of the WSU Kellogg Foundation Integrated Farming Systems/Holistic Management Project (1995 and 1999) and special guests will share their experiences with sustainability, tell what they have learned and craft a plan for future actions. Youth–the leaders of the future–are invited to attend.
The conference is co-sponsored by Washington State University Extension, the WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources BIOAg Program, the Kittitas County Conservation District, the Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network, Rural Roots, Managing Change Northwest, NU View Evaluation & Learning, the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association and Solar $.
Contact Nelson at nelsond@wsu.edu or (509) 335-2922 or Doug Warnock at dwarnock@charter.net or (509) 525-3389 for more information. Early registration is encouraged.
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