How do we help farmers adopt more sustainable and profitable practices in Nevada County? How do we inspire home gardeners to use regenerative methods in growing their own food right at home? One way Sierra Harvest does this is by hosting the Sustainable Food & Farm Conference, bringing together internationally recognized speakers and a team of local experts to offer three days of intensive education for farmers, ranchers, homesteaders, gardeners and foodies.
We are excited to announce our 2017 keynote speakers:
Elaine Ingham, world-renowned soil microbiologist and Chief Scientist for the Rodale Institute, will offer practical tools from her Soil Foodweb research to cultivate beneficial microbes and soil fertility to grow plants with the least expensive inputs.
Ben Hartman, market farmer and author of The Lean Farm: How to Minimize Waste, Increase Efficiency, and Maximize Value and Profits with Less Work, will present on how to use methodologies developed in Japan by Toyota to dramatically eliminate waste and free up capacity on family farms.
Greg Judy, rancher and author of No Risk Ranching: Custom Grazing on Leased Land and Comeback Farms: Rejuvenating Soils, Pastures and Profits with Livestock Grazing Management, will be presenting his holistic management techniques for producing pasture raised beef, pork, chicken and more.
Last year’s conference had over 500 participants, attracting farmers, ranchers, homesteaders, gardeners and foodies from across the United States. 97% of farmers and gardeners came away last year with new ideas to make growing food more sustainable. This year, the conference is moving to a bigger venue to accommodate more participants and roomier workshop seating, and will feature more hands-on workshops for those who like to learn by doing. Read more about the conference and keynote speakers.
Tickets
Conference registration is now open! Register for Saturday to secure your seat to see our amazing keynote speakers and participate in the Food & Farm Expo, and for Sunday to join in on food & farm workshops for all levels of farmers, ranchers, and home gardeners. The Friday Farm Tour is always a big hit, and sells out every year, so register early!
A limited number of discounts are available for farmers and ranchers and applications are available on the website. Joel Salatin, internationally recognized rancher, author, and previous conference speaker calls it “a world class event at a fraction of the cost that many conferences of it’s caliber usually charge”. If you are interested in sustainable food & farming, join us January 6 -8, 2017.