“A thriving and sustainable agricultural sector is essential to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.”—USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan
Presented by the Accokeek Foundation’s Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship with support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, this conference facilitates a discussion about environmental protection and conservation, preservation of working landscapes, and farm viability. The conference will help to establish common ground between disciplines and interests and shape the direction of farming in the region.
Watch the conference photo slideshow.
Conference Summary
Conference Details
When: December 9, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: National Wildlife Visitor Center, Patuxent Research Refuge
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708
Who Should Attend: Farmers, policy makers, and members of the funding and academic communities who want to explore strategies for creating opportunities and addressing challenges to sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Cost and Registration: Registration fee is $45 per person, and includes continental breakfast, a boxed lunch, and afternoon refreshments. Space is limited, first come, first served. Register by November 29, 2010.
A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information, call 301.283.2113 or email the Accokeek Foundation prior to registering.
Conference Agenda
9:00 Registration and Coffee
9:30 Opening and Keynote Address Jill Shore Auburn, Senior Advisor for Sustainability, U.S. Department of Agriculture
10:30 Break
10:45 Panel Discussion “Policies that Support Agriculture: A Chesapeake Regional Perspective” Moderated by Allen Hance, Chesapeake Bay Trust Pablo Elliott, The Local Food Project at Airlie Foundation Jim Baird, American Farmland Trust Lorette Picciano, Rural Coalition
11:45 Plenary Session “What’s a Farmer to Do?”: A Conversation Christine Bergmark, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, and Brett Grohsgal, Even’ Star Farm
12:30 Lunch and Conversation
1:30 A Facilitated Town Hall Meeting “What Works?” Questions and Comments from the Floor Moderated by Brett Grohsgal, Even’ Star Farm Dan Colhoun, Sportsman’s Hall Emily Cook, The Farm at Sunnyside Mike Klein, Good Fortune Farm Joan Norman, One Straw Farm Mike Snow, The Ecosystem Farm
3:00 Closing Remarks Nick Place, University of Maryland Extension
Networking Session with Dessert
About the CAES
The Accokeek Foundation’s Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship (CAES) was created to teach and inspire people to use principles and practices of sustainability in agriculture and everyday life. Building on our Beginning Farmer Training program, the CAES offers workshops, field days, presentations, community forums, and guided tours covering topics ranging from sustainable agriculture to green living, environmental science, and local food.
The “Common Ground: Growing Agriculture, Restoring the Bay” conference was made possible with funding from:
With a special Thank You to our partners and in-kind donors: Even’ Star Farm, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, University of Maryland Extension, American Farmland Trust, Airlie Foundation, and the Rural Coalition.