2012 Conference Highlights
It’s finally time again – time to do what we do best: celebrate our successes, enjoy the strong community we’ve created, and unite our community to push onward for a food system which truly embodies Good Food For All!
We meet in Columbus at the converted iron works factory, now the Convention and Trade Center, where plows were forged. It’s fitting to gather there, where the energy, ideas, and commitment of our members and friends merge to push our movement forward. The building is absolutely gorgeous and overlooks the Chattahoochee River.
Please join the Georgia Organics family for this invigorating conference, where two of the most enthusiastic voices for fair and healthy foods, Will Allen and Michel Nischan, and dozens of other gifted local and national presenters, will give us the tools to Plow Forward!
Highlights
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network is our partner. Columbus is across the river from Alabama and we are taking the opportunity to partner with our sister organization, the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN) on the conference. Watch for several special ASAN meetings as well as some outstanding presenters from Alabama and two farm tours across the border.
New Educational Tracks. Look for some changes in our 8 educational tracks, which feature 32 sessions. Livestock is expanding to two full tracks. Farm to School is broadening to Farm to Institution. Check out our brand new access track called “Good Food for All."
The Expo is cooler than ever! Our Friday night Expo reception is fun for all ages. As you enter, check out a team of beautiful Belgian draft horses – that inspire us to Plow Forward! We will feature our wonderful exhibitors as well as tastes of artisanal local food including cured meats, fabulous cheeses, topped off with a mini-ice cream sundae station from High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet. Don’t miss the honey tasting, and our Georgia Organics Jam Session! Visit booths to qualify for door prizes. We invite all of Columbus to join us from 5-8 p.m. on Friday.
Indepth Workshops from basic to advanced for diverse interests. Look out for some great new workshops including Advanced Mushroom Cultivation, Urban Farming, Economics and Marketing of Livestock on Small-Farms, and Everyday Organic Living.
Experience nine diverse Food and Farm Tours. Sign up for our first full day tour to Café Campesino, Koinonia Farm and Providence Canyon.
Camp GO! for kids from 6 to 12. It’s not just child care anymore. This all day and evening camp includes: an outdoor adventure at the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, some really rad survival and foraging skills, and amazing natural crafts. Plus TENTS & TALES. Campers set up a "tent" structure, tell campfire stories and enjoy "camp treats" as they settle in for the evening while parents attend the Farmer's Feast. Don't forget your sleeping bag!
Loosen up & relax with Yoga for Farmers & Friends, a class adapted for farmers by certified instructor Jeannie Wrightson. Learn yoga poses to relieve & prevent backache, shoulder pain, neck tension and more.
The Third Annual Georgia Farm to School Summit will be held on Friday, Feb. 24.
Two national experts, Rodney Taylor and John Turrene, will share their inspiring success stories and empower Georgia’s burgeoning farm to school movement towards more widespread accomplishments that combat obesity, improve student learning, and support local economies.
is our partner. Columbus is across the river from Alabama and we are taking the opportunity to partner with our sister organization, the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN) on the conference. Watch for several special ASAN meetings as well as some outstanding presenters from Alabama and two farm tours across the border.. Look for some changes in our 8 educational tracks, which feature 32 sessions. Livestock is expanding to two full tracks. Farm to School is broadening to Farm to Institution. Check out our brand new access track called “Good Food for All."! Our Friday night Expo reception is fun for all ages. As you enter, check out a team of beautiful Belgian draft horses – that inspire us to Plow Forward! We will feature our wonderful exhibitors as well as tastes of artisanal local food including cured meats, fabulous cheeses, topped off with a mini-ice cream sundae station from High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet. Don’t miss the honey tasting, and our Georgia Organics Jam Session! Visit booths to qualify for door prizes. We invite all of Columbus to join us from 5-8 p.m. on Friday. from basic to advanced for diverse interests. Look out for some great new workshops including Advanced Mushroom Cultivation, Urban Farming, Economics and Marketing of Livestock on Small-Farms, and Everyday Organic Living. . Sign up for our first full day tour to Café Campesino, Koinonia Farm and Providence Canyon. for kids from 6 to 12. It’s not just child care anymore. This all day and evening camp includes: an outdoor adventure at the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, some really rad survival and foraging skills, and amazing natural crafts. Plus TENTS & TALES. Campers set up a "tent" structure, tell campfire stories and enjoy "camp treats" as they settle in for the evening while parents attend the Farmer's Feast. Don't forget your sleeping bag!Loosen up & relax with, a class adapted for farmers by certified instructor Jeannie Wrightson. Learn yoga poses to relieve & prevent backache, shoulder pain, neck tension and more. will be held on Friday, Feb. 24.Two national experts, Rodney Taylor and John Turrene, will share their inspiring success stories and empower Georgia’s burgeoning farm to school movement towards more widespread accomplishments that combat obesity, improve student learning, and support local economies.
Saturday night's Farmers Feast will be coordinated by one of the nation's most acclaimed and gifted chefs. Chef Anne Quatrano will serve as the 2012 Farmers Feast Executive Chef. A longtime proponent of sustainability, Quatrano has - since her earliest days - prided herself in using locally grown, seasonal, and organic produce, much of which is from her own organic gardens. Together with her husband, award-winning chef Clifford Harrison, she operates six of Atlanta's most celebrated restaurants, Bacchanalia, Floataway Cafe, Star Provisions, Provisions To Go, Quinones at Bacchanalia, and Abbatoir.