National Workshop on State and Local Food Policy

Posted by on August 12, 2005

[posted from Community Food Security Coalition listserv]

Drake University Agricultural Law Center is pleased to host the annual National Workshop on State and Local Food Policy, September 8-9. This year’s workshop will convene an outstanding and diverse group of farmers, lenders, sustainable agriculture advocates, government agency representatives, legal advisors, and other topic experts from across the U.S. involved with producer marketing associations. Insight about real-world opportunities and challenges will be shared by established, highly capitalized producer-owned businesses as well as some of the newest informally networked groups. Other highlights of the workshop include reports from Food Policy Councils throughout the U.S., “All-Iowa” lunches sourced from local producers, and the premi?re of the Center’s newest book, “The Farmer’s Legal Guide to Producer Marketing Associations” developed specifically for producers who are considering establishing a joint marketing venture.

The workshop will be held in Des Moines, Iowa on the campus of Drake University at the Olmsted Center. Please see http://www.statefoodpolicy.org/natwkshp05.htm for the program, speakers, directions to the campus, and online registration at the special rate of $110. The National Workshop registration will be capped at 160 participants to encourage an intimate, highly focused event to facilitate sharing and dialogue. Registration is a “first come, first serve” basis and will be closed once the number of seats are filled. The workshop is being supported with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency, Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program.

Please contact workshop co-planner, Christine Pardee at 515.271.4956 or at christine.pardee@drake.edu with questions. We hope to see you in September!