The Rural Voice, 2005-12, Page 53News
Guelph Organic
conference
marks 25 years
Twenty-five years ago, two
University of Guelph agriculture
students thought it would be
interesting to compare conventional
and organic farming. Little did
Ignacio Villa and Ricardo Ramirez
realize that what started out as an
afternoon conference with three
guest speakers in 1982, would offer
the most comprehensive information
on the state of organic production
today.
The 25th anniversary, the Guelph
Organic Conference, January 26-29,
offers growers, farmers, the retail
and wholesale trade an opportunity
to network and learn in a four-day
conference with over 30 workshops.
The first two days of the
conference start with stand-alone
educational programs with the
Organic Landscape Alliance, a non-
profit trade association committed to
the development of the organic
horticulture, presenting workshops
on January 26 and the Ecological
Farmers Association of Ontario with
production -oriented courses on
January 26-27.
However, the conference is not just
for the agriculture community. Open
to the public is a free two-day
Organic Expo Canada Sampling
Fair, January 28-29 where over 25
vendors will offer samples of fresh
organic products in a marketplace of
over 130 exhibitors.
The keynote speaker for the
conference will be Dr. David
Pimental, a Cornell University
professor of ecology and agriculture.
He will discuss how organic farming
approaches can be a more energy-
efficient way of producing food than
conventional farming.
He notes that in growing crops as
corn and soybeans, organic farming
uses an average of 30 per cent less
fossil energy, conserves more water
in the soil, induces Tess erosion, and
maintains soil quality.
Registration for workshops an
seminars is required with prices and
times posted on the website:
www.guelphorganicconf.ca
SPRUCEDALE AGROMART
HANOVER
519=364-4070
— Fertilizers
— Seeds & Farm Supplies
— Custom Application
— Agricultural Herbicides
At this holiday season, it is time to say
?Fiar&,you arid to express to our
customers, ofd and new, best wishes
for a Merry Christmas season and a
successful9l(fw Year
— from the management and staff cl
Spnuecfale Agromart.
TARA
519-934-2340
"Serving the farmers of Grey and Bruce for over 20 years"
MARQUARDT
FARM DRAINAGE LTD.
(ESTABLISHED 1968)
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JI aaref& gat fan came uaLued P. ,aGcaurac te.
Steve L'cataffevul & Staff
For that personal touch, pride in workmanship, experience.
MARQUARDT
FARM DRAINAGE LTD.
(ESTABLISHED 1968)
R.R. #3, Palmerston, Ontario
1-888-534-0393
OFFICE 343-3233 HOME 338-2373
STEVE CRONSBERRY (Owner)
DECEMBER 2005 49