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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Florida Small Farmers On The Road Again To Kissimmee

Yes, there are only 12 days until the beginning of the 2010 Florida Small Farm Conference! The final preparations are being made by everyone as they get ready to take the road to Kissimmee. Yes, that means everyone, the organizers, the presenters, the exhibiters, and, most importantly, the small farm community of Florida. The increasing excitement is palpable. Yes, we are all coming back together soon to recreate the magic of last year's inaugural Florida Small Farm Conference.

To this end, this blog wants to invite everyone to share their comments in these '12 days before Conference'. Let's hear from everyone about their expectations, resources, and perspectives that they are bringing to the Conference. I hear the buzz about the Conference starting across the state of Florida, do you?

So, for starters, we want to make sure that everyone is aware of the events available to the Conference attendees even before the Conference officially begins. Yes, on Friday, July 30th there are 3 networking meetings that are open and free to the public. Here is the information about these activities which are all happening at the same time and place for your ease of participation and choice:

Date/Time: Friday, July 30, 2010; 3:00 - 6:00 pm

Location: Exhibition Building, Osceoloa Heritage Park (i.e., the Conference location)- room assignments for each meeting will be posted

Meetings Descriptions:

1) Florida Association of Community Farmers Markets (FACFM) - come learn and contribute to the efforts of the FACFM which is a member-driven organization whose purpose is to improve the link between farm and table by supporting farmers and educating consumers on the benefits of buying local and supporting their community farmers' markets. For more info about the FACFM see their URL at https://sites.google.com/a/facfm.org/facfm/

2) Florida Organic Growers & Consumers, Inc. (FOG) - come learn and contribute to the efforts of FOG which supports and promotes organic and sustainable agriculture, wherein; we educate consumers, farmers, future farmers (children & youth), businesses, policy makers and the general public. For more info about the FOG see their URL at http://www.foginfo.org/

3) Florida Food Policy Council (FFPC) and the Greater Everglades Foodshed Alliance (GEFA)- come to this joint meeting and learn and contribute to the efforts of these 2organizations that are promoting sustainable foodshed development in Florida.

a) The FFPC was initiated last year at a special meeting with the attendees of the
2009 FL Small Farm Conference. The mission of FFPC is to encourage the
development and expansion of the capacity of local food systems (foodsheds) to
meet food security needs in communities across Florida through advocacy, network-
building, training and providing tools designed to increase production,
distribution and consumption of healthy, local foods for the planet, ecosystems
and people.

b) The GEFA has a mission to inspire people, ventures, projects and activities
dedicated to ecological learning and sustainability in the Greater Everglades
bioregion, is partnering with stakeholders representing all aspects of the local
food system. Together, we are in the process of forming the Greater Everglades
Foodshed Alliance, as an essential first step in rebuilding a local food system
in South Florida that benefits all residents and the ecosystems on which we
depend. By forming a network that strengthens existing relationships between
growers, processors, distributors, buyers, retailers, and consumers, we can
create the resilient, just, and sustainable local food system we want for the
Greater Everglades. For more info on the GEFA see their URL at http://earth-
learning.org/index.php?option=content&Itemid=134&task=view&id=39


So there you have it. As you can see, these pre-conference activities are definitely setting the tone for a most meaningful and educational time when everyone gathers for the 2010 FL Small Farm Conference. Keep them in mind as you get ready to take the road again to Kissimmee . . .

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