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University of Minnesota to Host the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production |
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July 25, 2006
University of Minnesota to Host the 1st IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production |
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Bonn, Germany, July 25th 2006 - The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) will hold the first-ever international conference on organic livestock from August 23-25, 2006, on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus. The registration deadline - August 15th - is fast approaching, and those considering attending are encouraged to register at once to take part in this historic event. |
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Today the world is
confronted by the negative repercussions of industrial animal
agriculture. The pollution from animal waste harms waterways, human
health, aquatic life and the animals themselves. An example of a
tragedy caused in large part by this agricultural model is the "dead
zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, which in 1999 covered an area of 7728
square miles (12437 square kilometers), which would cover all of the
water in Minnesota, the land of 10000 lakes. There are many other
threats from industrial agricultural practices.
Organic
Agrculture takes a systematic approach that strives to ensure none of
these elements are part of animal production systems, and IFOAM has
seen the need to unite and improve these efforts globally, and is
bringing together leading livestock researchers and producers from
throughout the world to make this happen.
This conference will
focus on key issues concerning organic livestock and animal husbandry,
concentrating on health and food safety, marketing trends, and
innovation in organic livestock systems.
The conference will
begin on August 23 with tours of organic livestock farms in the Twin
Cities area, including a tour of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (www.arboretum.umn.edu/),
which features spectacular annual and perennial display gardens,
collections of plants developed for northern climates, natural and
native areas, and demonstration gardens.
Tour bus stops include
Cedar Summit Dairy, Jeff and Pam Riesgraf organic dairy, Roger and
Michelle Benrud organic dairy, the O’Reilly’s Shamrock Organic Dairy,
John Luhman’s organic grassfed beef farm, Harmony Organic Poultry, Brad
and Leanne Donnay’s organic goat dairy, and the Diffley’s Gardens of
Eagan organic produce farm. Those interested in the preparation and
sale of organic livestock
products will have the chance visit several retail stores in the Twin
Cities area. It will be an action-packed and informative day!
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. There will be 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 found 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 B. Caudle, IFOAM’s Executive
Director.
The registration deadline is August 15. Complete
information about the conference, including on-line registration.
Click here to register online.
Sponsors
for the conference include Organic Valley, Newman’s Own Organics,
Northland Organic Foods, Stoneyfield Farm, Indian Herbs, Horizon
Organic, Aurora Organic Dairy, FiBL – Research Institute of Organic
Agriculture, MOSES – Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education
Services, Organic Choice, OTA – Organic Trade Association,
Sunrich/SunOpta, Crystal Creek, 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, Stoneyfield Farm, Horizon
Organic, Nancy’s Organic Yogurt, The Wedge, French Meadow Bakery, Coop
Partners Warehouse, Frey Organic Vineyards, Pastureland Dairy, Peace
Coffee, and Cornercopia, the UMN’s Student Organic Farm on the St. Paul
campus.
IFOAM offers a special thanks to MOSES and the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota for fiscal sponsorship.
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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