Published 12-09-08
Submitted by Organically Grown Company
PORTLAND, Ore. - December 9. 2008 - From February 26 to 28, 2009, the organic food and farming sector will gather in Portland to study and discuss a sustainable food future during a three-day conference called, Organicology. Organicology will offer intensive workshops, networking, a trade show and key notes from a diverse array of the world’s foremost food and farming experts. The first time event is presented by Oregon Tilth, Organic Seed Alliance, the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association, and Organically Grown Company and will be held at the Doubletree Lloyd Center.
"As the realm of organics and concept of sustainable food systems rapidly expands with products, distributors, growers, innovators, chefs, educators, and people working behind-the-scenes, there's clearly a need to orient and educate the ever-growing pool of people joining the industry," said David Lively, Marketing Director for Organically Grown Company. "Organicology participants will leave charged with enthusiasm, armed with enhanced skills specific to their job, a network of trusted contacts, and a deeper understanding of the trade, beyond their own responsibilities."
Here's just a sampling of what Organicology has to offer.
World-renowned authors, scholars and activists, including:
Opportunities to network and have fun
Complementing the curriculum will be a trade show, awards dinner, and nightly entertainment. On Saturday, Organicology will present a day-long Organic Exhibition with a wide array of displays, including seed companies, farm supply companies, farms, organic manufacturers and retail products. The Organic Exhibition is an ideal time for participants to network and share their own stories about how they incorporate sustainability into their livelihoods.
Organicology will host nightly entertainment, including a talent show, a seed swap, a wine and beer social with potato variety tasting, an audience-judged debate, and performances by Portland Taiko and the Pheromones--a band comprised of farmers and plant breeders. Mixing the fun with well-deserved kudos for the sustainability community will be Organicology's Awards Dinner.
Generous support for Organicology comes from industry partners Heath & Lejeune, Organics Unlimited, Earthbound Farms, CF Fresh, Cross Creek Trading, PCC Natural Markets and the Organic Trade Association. For more information about registration, lodging, how to participate in the trade show, or course offerings, visit www.organicology.org or contact Oregon Tilth at 503-378-0690.
About Organicology:
Recognizing the educational needs of the ever growing organic and sustainable food and farming trade, Organicology was founded by four organizations leading the organic revolution: Oregon Tilth (www.tilth.org) the nation's premiere certifier for organics, and a nonprofit research and education membership organization dedicated to biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture. Organic Seed Alliance (www.seedalliance.org) supports the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed. The Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association (www.ftsla.org) works to foster sustainable business practices in the organic food trade through educational programming and annual reporting by member businesses. Employee and grower-owned Organically Grown Company (www.organicgrown.com) is the largest organic fresh produce purveyor in the Pacific Northwest, and dedicated to promoting the health and vitality of the region through organic agriculture and a thriving sustainable food system.
Founded in 1978, employee and grower-owned Organically Grown Company (OGC) is the largest organic produce distributor in the Pacific Northwest. From locations in Oregon and Washington, OGC works with more than 300 growers and vendors to market and distribute produce to over 900 retail, wholesale and restaurant customers throughout the greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. OGC’s trademarked LADYBUG brand represents more than 30 Northwest, family-owned, organic and Salmon-Safe certified farms and is sold in markets across the United States and Canada. OGC has been recognized as a leader in sustainable business practices including sourcing 100% renewable energy in facilities, operating their own Clean Air certified truck fleet, support for fair trade and charitable giving. Their mission is “Promoting health through organic agriculture as a leading sustainable organization.â€
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