Calendar of Events

Oklahoma Events

Conference: Seeds for Success (Grazing)
Wilburton

Regional and National Events

Conference: Missouri Organic Association Annual Conference :: February 5 – 6
Columbia, MO

Public Comment Deadline: Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Genetically Modfied Alfalfa :: February 16

 

Oklahoma Events

Conference: Seeds for Success (Grazing)

April 30 - May 1, 2010
Wilburton
Eastern Oklahoma State College

Eastern Oklahoma State College will host trailblazing ranchers Walt Davis, Wes Downing, and Kit Pharo at the second annual “Seeds for Success” grazing conference.

Walt Davis switched his southeastern Oklahoma ranch from high-input to ecologically based management in the early 1970s. A past president of Holistic Resource Management of both Oklahoma and Texas, Davis will speak on ““Hard Time Economics and Grazing Management.”

Kit Pharo has taken his eastern Colorado ranch through a similar transformation from high-production to high-profit management, now selling Black and Red Angus bulls with genetics that fit low-input production. He will discuss cattle genetics in relation to his management principles of rotational grazing, calving in sync with nature, and raising cattle that can survive on the ranch’s own resources.

Wes Downing raises all-natural pastured beef, pork, and poultry in northeastern Oklahoma. His talk will detail Downing Family Farms’ experiences with marketing these products, both direct to customers and through retail outlets.

In addition to these speakers, the conference will feature two breakout sessions. One will cover the basics of electric fencing, while the other will offer a tour of EOSC’s Meats Processing Lab.

Conference registration costs $200 and includes meals and an electronic copy of the proceedings. RSVP with a $50 deposit by April 16 to Troy Walker, Eastern Oklahoma State College, 1301 West Main, Wilburton, OK 74578.

For more information or to register, call Walker at 918.448.7300. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Proceeds from the “Seeds for Success” conference are used to incorporate new ideas, extend educational opportunities for Eastern students, and improve management practices on the Eastern Oklahoma State College Learning Farm.

Regional and National Events

Conference: Missouri Organic Association Annual Conference

February 5 – 6
Columbia, MO
University of Missouri

This year’s Missouri Organic Association’s conference takes the theme, “Making It Happen: Organic Production and Marketing.  Keynote speakers are Melinda Hemmelgarn of Food Sleuth Radio and Gary Zimmer, president of Midwestern Bio-Ag, Inc. Individual breakout sessions will cover organic grain crops, horticulture crops, and livestock.

Registration is $45 per person for one day and $90 for both days, with a $165 special “bring a friend” rate for two people for both days.  Registration is due by January 29.  Reservations for the Friday night welcome dinner are an additional $25 per person and must be made by January 22. 

Click here for registration form.

For more information, visit the Missouri Organic Association website or contact Kathy Burney-Miller.

Public Comment Deadline: Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Genetically Modfied Alfalfa

February 16

On December 18, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of APHIS’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates the potential environmental effects of deregulating two lines of alfalfa genetically engineered (GE) to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate, known commercially as Roundup®.  The GE alfalfa is commonly referred to as Roundup® Ready (RR) alfalfa and is referred to as glyphosate-tolerant (GT) alfalfa in the EIS.

APHIS is accepting public comments on the Draft EIS for 60 days, closing the comment period on February 16, 2010.

APHIS prepared the Draft EIS to comply with a February 2007 judgment and order by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.  APHIS originally deregulated the lines of RR alfalfa in June 2005 and a lawsuit was subsequently filed.  The judge vacated APHIS’ 2005 decision to deregulate RR alfalfa and determined that the Agency must prepare an EIS in support of its decision to deregulate RR alfalfa.

Click here to submit a public comment online

Click here for more information, including details of the draft EIS and a list of locations where genetically modified alfalfa is currently grown.

Click here for background and talking points from the Center for Food Safety, which filed the 2006 lawsuit against USDA.