Farm To Table Conferences, Workshops, and Trainings
Please scroll down further below to view our Upcoming Conferences, Workshops, and Trainings.
Each year Farm to Table sponsors two large conferences:
- New Mexico Organic Farming Conference
- Southwest Marketing Network Conference
New Mexico Organic Farming Conference:
Held in Albuquerque, the Southwest’s premier conference for organic agriculture covers organic production (crop and livestock) as well as some business management and marketing topics. Each year, 25 hands-on workshops explore a variety of topics, including fruit production, vegetable production, heating greenhouses, soil and compost management, beneficial insects, food safety on the farm, irrigation delivery systems, rotational grazing, conservation easements, season extension techniques, organic egg production, weed management, bee keeping without chemicals and soil health in drylands. The conference also brings in experts in business management and provides information on marketing outlets. This is a great conference for both new and experienced farmers and ranchers, as well as other folks interested in supporting local agriculture. The conference is a collaborative effort of Farm to Table, the New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension.
Click here for the 2008 brochure. The 2009 brochure and registration will be available here at least one month before the conference.
Southwest Marketing Network Conference:
Held in a different place each year, the SWMN Conference is the perfect opportunity for farmers, ranchers and community organizations from throughout the Four Corners states and tribal communities to meet, share skills and learn best practices from both regional and national experts on building local food systems. The conference focuses on agricultural marketing, distribution, organizational development, tribal communities, policy, and beginning farmers. Action-oriented, the conference strives to help participants integrate what they learn into their businesses or community activities. Participants in the two-day conference may choose to attend one of several pre-conference workshops which provides in-depth exploration of a particular topic such as local meat production and distribution or Farm to School. An all-day farm tour is also often offered. The conference is organized by Farm to Table and the Southwest Marketing Network, and sponsored by USDA Risk Management Agency Outreach Program, USDA Risk Management Education, USDA Farm Service Agency, Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and the USDA Community Food Project Program.
Click here for the 2008 conference brochure (the 6th annual). The 2009 brochure and registration will be available here at least one month before the conference.
Farm to Table also participates in the following statewide and regional conferences:
New Mexico Small Farm Conference and Trade Show (October):
This event showcases the work of New Mexican small scale livestock and agricultural producers and presents educational workshops tailored to their needs. The conference runs from Friday to Sunday and includes a poster display showing off new research and technology, commercial displays by vendors and a trade show with agricultural related equipment. For more information see the NMSU Cooperative Extension website.
Alcalde Agriculture Science Center Field Day (August):
This day-long field day gives farmers a chance to learn about specialty crops suited for sale at farmers’ markets that grow well in Southwest dry conditions, growing techniques, season extension, herbs, fruit, sod, and drip irrigation. The field day is sponsored by the Alcalde Agriculture Science Center and NMSU Cooperative Extension Service.
New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association Annual Conference:
The conference provides farmers’ market development workshops for Farmers’ Market Managers and often includes a food stamp training workshop. For more information, please visit the NMFMA website.
The Mid-Region Council of Governments Agriculture Collaborative (MRCOG):
MRCOG hosts a monthly meeting, each on a different topic of interest to people involved in agriculture. For more information, please visit their website.
Farm to Table also recommends the following regional and national conferences (click on each to go to their website for more information):
Bioneers
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Western SARE
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
Community Food Security Coalition
Slow Food USA
EcoFarm
California Small Farm Conference
Kerr Center Events
See below for the latest updates on conference dates, new workshops and trainings.
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Southwest Marketing Network Conference 2008
Post Date: Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
May 5-7th, more than 250 people from all over the Southwest and beyond attended the 6th Annual Southwest Marketing Network Conference held at the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe. The attendees were a diverse group of farmers, ranchers, community organizers, students, and representatives of governmental agencies.
The conference began with an all-day tour of three Northern New Mexico farms and a stop at the Feasting Place for a delicious lunch. 
Concurrently, Mark Winne, author of Closing the Food Gap, and Keecha Harris, consultant for Harris & Associates, led participants through the ins and outs of developing a food and agriculture policy council. Farm to School stakeholders also participated in a regional meeting and training session led by Le Adams, Farm to Table, Marion Kalb, Community Food Security Coalition, and Craig Mapel, NM Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, Ra Vernon, Director of the Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance, engaged ranchers and other interested folks in a lively discussion about the future of grassfed beef in the SW and how to build your direct-marketing business.
Tuesday morning began with two inspiring keynotes from Anthony Flaccavento, of Appalachian Sustainable Development, and Gary Nabhan, author of Renewing America’s Food Traditions: Marketing Place-Based Heritage Foods. Over the next two days participants attended 25 sessions on a variety of topics including:
· Alternative marketing strategies
· Food and Agriculture Policy
· Tribal initiatives
· Farmers’ markets
· Climate change and energy options
· Youth and new farmer initiatives
· Grant writing, business planning and organizational development.
Throughout the conference, participants enjoyed a cornucopia of local foods, including greens from Monte Vista Organic Farm, grassfed beef from Soaring Eagle Ranch, and cheese, jams and salsas from all over the Southwest.
The Conference also provided a number of opportunities for participants to meet, share their experiences and learn from each other. One participant said the best thing about the conference was “the absolutely incredible people. [It was] so great to have challenging conversations with people around food and agriculture issues.”
Conference participants enjoyed the “Great keynotes, great diversity of people and gracious accommodations” and noted that the Southwest Marketing Network had provided them with ”great connections; useful information in the newsletters, and collaborative project opportunities that we need to pursue more assertively.”
The conference could not have happened without the help of the expert presenters, the steering committee of the SWMN, the great staff of La Fonda Hotel and the support of the USDA Risk Management Agency.
Thanks to all who attended, and we hope to see YOU at the SWMN conference next year.
Topics: Farm To Table Conferences, Workshops, and Trainings |