Community Supported Agriculture Conference (fwd)

Lawrence F. London, Jr. (london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu)
Tue, 7 Nov 1995 11:17:18 -0500 (EST)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 1995 18:49:04 -0800
From: William C. Burns <pcis@igc.apc.org>
To: sustag@beta.tricity.wsu.edu
Subject: Community Supported Agriculture Conference

1995 Upper Midwest Community Supported Agriculture Conference

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), whereby consumers and farmers
form social and economic relationships to share responsibility for
producing food and protecting resources, is becoming an increasingly
important force in our society, with over 500 community-supported farms
nationwide. The theme of the second annual Upper Midwest Conference on
Community Supported Agriculture, "Healthy Farms, Healthy People,
Healthy Communities," reflects the benefits of this approach for all
sectors of our communities. The conference will be held at the Holy
Name Catholic Center in Madison on December 1-3.

The conference's speakers will include agricultural law professor Neil
Hamilton, and Minnesota writer Paul Gruchow. They will consider the
increasingly industrialized character of our food system, from
increased market concentration and loss of family farms, to
environmental degradation and eaters' inability to know where, how, and
by whom their food is grown. "The role of CSAs and other opportunities
to create a more personal, fair and socially responsible food system
will make for lively discussion," stated Margaret Krome, one of the
conference's organizers.

The conference will also feature over twenty workshops, exploring
topics ranging from: how to form a CSA, appropriate technologies for
CSA programs; building and strengthening CSA communities; and how to
keep members coming back year after year. A Saturday night dinner,
followed by music and dancing will provide an opportunity for
participants to get to know each other better in a more casual atmosphere.

"CSA programs can enhance the health of both consumers and
participating farms, as well as increase the cohesion of our
communities," Krome concluded. "This conference will provide a wealth
of information for both current CSA participants and those interested
in participating in the future."

The early registration fee, which includes meals, is $45.00 for adults
and children over the age of 10. The fee increases to $50.00 after
November 20. Children under 10 may attend for free. Participants can
register up until the date of the conference, but are encouraged to
register early if they wish to obtain on-site accommodations in
Madison. Home stays are also available. Meals cannot be guaranteed
without pre-registration.

For more information, or to obtain a conference brochure, contact:
William Burns, (608) 256-6312 (wcburns1@students.wisc.edu), or Margaret
Krome, (608) 238-1440 (mkrome@aol.com).