HARRISBURG, Pa. — One of the largest gatherings of sustainable farmers, food system professionals, and changemakers in the nation—Pasa Sustainable Agriculture’s annual conference—will be held virtually this year between January 19 and February 5, 2021. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the hallmark event, which has served as a springboard for transformative food system change in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.
Pasa’s 2021 Virtual Conference features more than 90 sessions on sustainable farming and food system topics, including livestock grazing, fruit and vegetable production, business planning and financial viability, climate change, organic systems, soil health, clean water, food equity, and much more.
This year’s keynote speaker is Robin Wall Kimmerer, scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Featured speakers include Rattan Lal, 2020 World Food Prize recipient and Ohio State University soil physicist; Ricardo Salvador, Union of Concerned Scientists Food and Environment program director; Judith Schwartz, journalist and author of Water in Plain Sight: Hope for a Thirsty World; and Malik Yakini, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network executive director.
The conference will additionally host a variety of virtual social and networking events, including meetups, discussion groups, mixers, and game nights. Attendees will be able to peruse the virtual equivalent to the event’s expansive trade show, where they can learn what’s new and improved in the sustainable agriculture industry and connect with more than 50 businesses and organizations devoted to supporting sustainable food production.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Pre-conference (January 19–29): Designed for farmers (though all are welcome to attend!), the pre-conference includes 30+ live educational sessions on production-focused topics. Rates for the pre-conference are $170 for adults; $130 for seniors; and $85 for students and apprentices. You can also choose to register for only the sessions you’d like to attend.
Main conference (February 1–5): With 30+ live and 30+ on-demand educational sessions suitable for farmers, food system professionals, and changemakers, the week-long main conference explores food system big ideas, as well as production-focused topics. The main conference includes keynote and featured speakers, social and networking events, and virtual exhibits. Rates for the main conference are $170 for adults; $130 for seniors; and $85 for students and apprentices.
Recordings: Registrants will have access to recordings of all sessions for which they are registered.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER: Visit pasafarming.org/conference to see the full agenda and to register.
–Melissa Cipollone, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture