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University of Minnesota to Host the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production |
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June 08, 2006
University of Minnesota to Host the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production |
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Bonn, Germany, June 8th 2006 - From August 23-25, 2006, the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus will be the international epicenter for organic livestock producers and researchers, when the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) holds the first-ever international conference on organic livestock. |
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Leading organic livestock researchers
and producers from throughout the world will share state-of-science
research findings and production information during the three-day event.
Complete information about the conference, including on-line registration, can be found at:
http://www.ifoam.org/events
The
conference will begin on August 23 with tours of organic livestock
farms in the Twin Cities area, including lunch and a tour of the
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/
During
the evening of August 23, opening remarks will be delivered by
Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Gene Hugoson, and the UMN’s
Dean of Extension, Bev Durgan. The opening keynote will given by Dr.
Fred Kirschenmann of Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture. Dr. Kirschenmann will discuss, “Animals in an
Organic System – Exploring the Ecological, Social, and Economic
Functions of Animals in Organic Agriculture.”
Dr. Mette Vaarst,
DVM, of the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, will speak on
“Sustaining Animal Health and Food Safety Through Organic Methods”
during the morning keynote on August 24. Dr. Vaarst’s keynote address
will be followed by workshops on organic poultry, dairy, sheep, hogs,
and beef, as well as organic livestock standards. Groundbreaking
research will be presented on differences between antibiotic-resistant
bacteria on organic vs conventional livestock farms.
Noted
author, researcher, and acclaimed speaker Dr. Temple Grandin will
present the evening keynote, which will be held in the North Star
Ballroom of the UMN Student Center. Dr. Grandin, an autistic woman who
has developed humane livestock handling systems used worldwide, will
present “Animals in Translation,” which explores how animals see the
world.
The evening of August 24 will conclude with a dance party in the North Star Ballroom, with music provided by The Pheromones!
Dr.
David Wallinga, MD, from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade
Policy, will give the morning keynote on August 25. Dr. Wallinga will
discuss “Antibiotic Resistance and the Organic Alternative.” There will
be workshops on humane treatment, biosecurity, animal health, market
access, milk quality, and food safety.
The closing keynote will
be given by Jim Riddle, the UMN’s Coordinator for Organic Agriculture
Outreach, who will discuss “Fostering Organic Livestock Research –
Priorities and Preferences.” The program will conclude with reports
from session moderators on key findings of the conference, along with a
conference resolution, presented by Angela Caudle, IFOAM’s Executive
Director.
Sponsors for the conference include Organic Valley,
Newman’s Own Organics, Northland Organic Foods, Stonyfield Farm, Indian
Herbs, Horizon Organic, FiBL – Research Institute of Organic
Agriculture, MOSES – Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education
Services, Organic Choice, OTA – Organic Trade Association, the
Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the University of Minnesota.
Delicious
local organic food will be served throughout the conference, with
donations from Gardens of Eagan, Organic Valley, Stonyfield Farm,
Nancy’s Organic Yogurt, The Wedge, French Meadow Bakery, Coop Partners
Warehouse, and Cornercopia, the UMN’s Student Organic Farm on the St.
Paul campus.
For more information, contact:
Jim Riddle
Organic Outreach Coordinator
University of Minnesota
31762 Wiscoy Ridge Road
Winona, MN 55987
Ph/fax: 507-454-8310
Cell: 507-429-7959
Email: jriddle@hbci.com |
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