COCKEYSVILLE, Md. — In just two weeks, Future Harvest: Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (Future Harvest CASA), in partnership with University of Maryland Extension, will be hosting one of the region’s largest farm and food gatherings, in College Park, Md.
The 19th Annual Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed Conference, to be held Jan. 11-13, with seven tracks and over 40 sessions and workshops, showcases cream-of-the-crop ag experts and latest information about farming and food. Opening Friday keynoter is nationally renowned regenerative rancher Gabe Brown, followed by dinner guest Chef Michael Twitty, food historian and author. Ira Wallace, author, educator and seed saver, will be the featured Saturday lunch speaker.
“The conference is a big tent, drawing together farmers of all kinds and speakers from around the region to share information, learn from experts and have a great time before starting the growing season,” said Dena Leibman, Future Harvest CASA Executive Director. “And meals made from produce grown by our members top off the activities.”
Farmers, ag professionals and food lovers will all find something to dig into. Sessions highlight emerging farming trends, including workshops on promoting soil health, urban farming, overwintering crops and regenerative agriculture. Pre-conference workshops feature value-added fermentation techniques, free food safety certification workshops and more. Plus: farmer-to-farmer networking chats and lightning round presentations are new this year.
Future Harvest CASA is also hosting the 2018 Beginner Farmer Learning Network Summit on Jan. 11 in conjunction with its winter conference—and in partnership with the Cornell Small Farms program. The BFLN Summit is for beginner farmer service providers. The Summit, along with the Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed Conference will both take place at the College Park Marriott, 3501 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, Md. Registration for the Conference and BFLN Summit is now open.
Registration and lodging information, plus the full program of workshops, sessions, farmer-to-farmer chats and more, can be found at futureharvestcasa.org.
— Future Harvest CASA