Seed Conference

Events

Tags: Alliance for Sustainable Communities, conference, Lehigh Valley Food Coop, Northampton Community College, permaculture, seed, sustainability

January 23, 2010
January 24, 2010

On Saturday and Sunday January 23 and 24 from 9am to 5pm, on both days, the Alliance for Sustainable Communities-Lehigh Valley will be holding its third annual SEED Conference at the Fowler Center–The Northampton Community College South Bethlehem Campus on Third Street. A suggested donation will be on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay. $10-25 for one day and $15-35 for both. The Conference will be co-sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Food Coop and the School of Living. The Lehigh Valley Food Coop will handle lunch and refreshments. [Lunch is not included in the donation] Registrants will get more detailed information on this. Several organizations will have information tables set up for educational purposes. Groups and individuals are welcome to bring old seeds or seeds thay have saved to exchange with other participants.

The Conference was begun in 2008 as a way to address Seed issues in local agriculture and food growing. We addressed food quality [organic vs non-organic and GMO's], seed saving, seed catalogs, permaculture and general issues of the food supply. It has expanded into a gathering to cover a broad range of local food concerns.

The public can register by calling Steve Hoog at 610-756-6867, or emailing him at steve@sustainlv.org.
Payment can be made at the door—-please register by Weds. January 20.

Tentative schedule—subject to change

Saturday Jan.23

9am-Opening remarks–Steve Hoog Comments on GMO”s, Monsanto, Obama and world agriculture
9:30-DVD-Power of Community—-how Cuba respnded to their own peak oil situation when Russia reduced their oil shipments to the island country
10:45- Kelle Kersten-School of Living Board member and founding member of the Ahimsa Village near State Colle Pa.—–Planting Seeds of Compassion in the Hearts and Minds of Young People
12 Noon–Lunch
1 pm–Bill Mineo–LC’S Farm-near Reiglesville—Seeds for Sustainability–Heirloom seeds from around the world for use in the Lehigh Valley
2 pm-Karen Stupski–School of Living and member of the Heathcote Community in Maryland–Talk on basics of Permaculture,specific real world applications of it and opportunities for learning
3:30–Video–The Synergistic Garden–Based on the work of Masanobu Fukuoka, French Emelia Hazelip details her method of organic no-till gardening without fertilizers.
Another video will follow to be selected.
5pm–End of Saturday session

Sunday-January 24

9am–Opening remarks
9:30–Video or DVD—Urban Permaculture—followed by discussion and getting to know each other
10:45–School of Living Representative—-Talk on Community Land Trusts
12 Noon- Lunch
1pm-Lou Cinquino–spokesman for the group Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley–Talk on Community Gardens–this group dedicated to helping local residents establish Community Gardens in their neighborhoods
2pm-Eve Minson-owner of new business called Just One Seed—Local Food Systems—There is a growing interest and demand for developing local food systems beyond the CSA model creating a need for local farm and garden educational programs for kids thru adults-she will review farm based educational programs in the NorthEast.
3:15–Video or DVD to be announced—-followed by discussion and looking to the future
5pm -end of Sunday session

Stephen Hoog–Alliance for Sustainable Communities
Member of LV Food Coop
Board of School of Living
610-756-6867

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