FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2009
Contact:
Bob Hochmuth
Phone: (386) 362-1725 x103
Fax: (386) 362-1725
Email: bobhoch@ufl.edu
Website: http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu
Helping Small Farmers – UF/IFAS & FAMU to hold statewide Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference
The first Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference will be held August 1-2, 2009. The statewide event is being offered by the UF/IFAS and FAMU Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises program.
The conference will be held at Osceola County’s Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. It will include a trade show of at least 100 exhibitors and six concurrent educational sessions including a large indoor livestock arena with live animal displays.
John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri will be the keynote speaker. He is the author of “Small Farms are Real Farms: Sustaining People Through Agriculture,” and numerous books and publication on sustainable agriculture.
Charles Bronson, Florida Agriculture Commissioner, will be a featured speaker on the opening day. Bronson has a lifelong involvement in Florida Agriculture and is a major sponsor of this conference.
The increased interest among consumers for more local products has led the small farm community in Florida to request a Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference. This conference will help Florida small farmers start, improve or expand their enterprises. The conference includes:
· Regionally and Nationally Known Speakers, including Florida Farmers
· Livestock Demos in Air Conditioned Arena
· Networking with Other Small Farmers
· Local Foods Featured
· Exhibitors
· Topics:
§ Business/Marketing
§ Policy/Regulations
§ Small Ruminants/Livestock
§ Alternative Energy
§ Organic Production
§ Horticulture
Conference participants will have an exceptional opportunity to taste the harvest from area small farms. The conference meals and refreshments will feature locally produced foods and specialty dishes.
All who register before May 15, 2009 will have the opportunity to contribute to a Small Farmer Scholarship Fund. The fund will be used to help economically disadvantaged farmers attend this conference.
The conference fee if paid by June 1, 2009 is $100 and provides for two full days of educational programs and exhibits. It also includes early Saturday and Sunday morning refreshments, lunches featuring products from Florida’s small farms, and all refreshment breaks.
Participants who are unable to attend the full conference may take advantage of the one day attendee fee of $70 if paid by June 1, 2009.
For more information on this conference and other small farm events, visit the website at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/floridasmallfarmsconference/index.htm or contact your local Extension Service Office:
Who: University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida A& M University
What: Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference
When: August 1-2, 2009
Where: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Florida
Why: Farmers will learn how they can improve their farming activities or add new enterprises to their operation.
