Calendar of Events

Oklahoma Events

Conference: Small Farm Conference :: February 13
Oklahoma City

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: Small Farm Conference

February 13
8:30 – 5
Oklahoma City
Bricktown Hotel and Convention Center (2001 E. Reno)

Registration runs from 8:30 – 9:00, with vendor booths open until 5:00.

This conference is for small farmers interested in growing produce for farmers markets, local school lunch programs and direct marketing.

Hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, the conference will cover a variety of topics, including soil building, season extension, marketing, food safety, maximizing production, and more. The conference also includes a small trade show.

Space is limited, and early registration is encourage to secure a place. Registration includes lunch and snack.  Registration costs $15 per person/$25 per couple, if registered by January 9; $25 per person/$45 per couple thereafter.

To register, call Ashley Carroll at 405.522.4330.

For more information, see the full conference agenda at www.okfarmtoschool.com.

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.