Call for Proposals: 8th annual Young Farmers Conference

Posted by Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture on June 1, 2015

Reminder! There are 2 weeks left to submit a workshop proposal for the 8th annual Young Farmers Conference at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, December 2-4, 2015.

About the Growing Farmers Initiative at Stone Barns Center

The Growing Farmers Initiative’s intensive Apprenticeship Program, workshops, Young Farmers Conference and Virtual Grange (http://www.virtualgrange.org) are designed to equip the next generation of farmers with the knowledge and hands-
on experience to create economically viable and ecologically resilient farm-business enterprises.

About the Young Farmers Conference (December 2-4, 2015)

Every December, hundreds of beginning farmers from across the United States gather at Stone Barns Center to learn from experienced farmers, agricultural luminaries, peers, technical experts and advocacy organizations during the annual Young Farmers Conference. On December 2-4, 2015, Stone Barns Center will host the 8th annual Young Farmers Conference, providing participants with access to inspiring keynotes and unique workshops that address soil science, technical skills, agricultural policy, farm business management, conservation and more.

Preconference: This Is How We Do It: Learning from Successful Farm Models (Wednesday, December 2)

The day before the official start of the main conference, Stone Barns Center will host a full day of workshops and conversations with established farmers who have successfully achieved their goals of economic viability and ecological resilience and want to share their knowledge with beginning farmers. We know from experience and feedback that young farmers benefit greatly from established farmers sharing as much of their experiences, challenges and strategies as possible. In this preconference, we ask that presenters share as much as they can with attendees, including financial records. The preconference is smaller and more intimate than the main conference, allowing for more discussion between presenter and attendee. Presenters are encouraged to apply for both the preconference and the main conference, with preconference applications focused on a holistic farm case study and main conference applications focused on one of the suggested topics below. Registration will be managed separately from the main conference, allowing attendees to choose whether they attend one or both events. Potential presenters for the preconference are encouraged to use the proposal form below.

Important Information for Potential Presenters

Workshop Sessions, consisting of a single presenter or panel discussion, will be approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes in length, including Q&A with participants. Please allow ample time for participant questions and discussion.
• Presenters can expect approximately 20–50 attendees per session
• Introductory and intermediate level workshops are both welcome
• Most AV needs can be accommodated
• Suggested session topics for the main conference should fit within the following tracks:
o Fruit and vegetable cultivation
o Animal husbandry
o Policy and land access
o Business, marketing and communications
o Conservation
• Interactive sessions that provide opportunities for significant audience participation are encouraged. Handouts with useful resources and networks are encouraged, as well as the option to follow up with the presenter.
• Prior to the conference, every confirmed presenter will be required to work with a staff member from Stone Barns Center to refine the structure and content of the presentation.
• For A/V purposes, presenters must be able to send us any PowerPoint presentations by November 1st. Our planning committee will give preference to speakers who are willing to share their presentation materials on the Virtual Grange, an online hub and community for beginning farmers (http://www.virtualgrange.org).

Location, Honorarium, Lodging and Registration Fees

• Stone Barns Center is located 25 miles north of New York City at 630 Bedford Road in Pocantico Hills, NY.
• All presenters will be expected to cover their lodging and travel expenses to and from the conference. A block of rooms will be set aside at a reduced rate at a local hotel.
• Conference presenters will receive free registration (including meals) for the day on which they are presenting and will have the opportunity to pay for registration for the other day of the conference.
• Stone Barns Center provides an honorarium of $300 per workshop.

Submission of Proposals and Deadlines

• All proposals must be received by June 15, 2015
• Submission of a proposal does not guarantee its acceptance. A planning committee will review all proposals based on content and programming needs.

VIEW APPLICATION HERE:
http://www.virtualgrange.org/learn/young-farmers-conference/

Questions?

Please feel free to contact yfc@stonebarnscenter.org with specific questions and concerns.