Farming for the Future Conference

From: Anna Kochersperger
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:12:55 -0500
To:
Subject: [COMFOOD:] Register Now! Farming For the Future Conference, Feb. 4, 5 & 6, State College, PA

PASA's 19th Annual Farming for the Future Conference will be held February 4, 5 & 6, 2010 at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, PA.
www.pasafarming.org/conference2010

The annual Farming for the Future conference is PASA's signature event and our main vehicle for community building. Widely regarded as the best of its kind in the East, this diverse event brings together an audience of over 2,000 farmers, processors, consumers, students, environmentalists, and business and community leaders annually. The sheer numbers and diversity of business and organizations that are associated with the conference are notable, through sponsoring, exhibiting and presenting. Typical conference workshops focus on such practical topics as poultry production, cheese making, riparian buffers, organic certification and raw milk marketing. The very popular day-long "Pre-Conference" tracks offer in-depth exploration of special topic areas.

The conference does not focus entirely on practical training for farmers. Keynote speeches in recent years have featured such visionaries as human rights advocate Anuradha Mittal, environmental leader William McDonough, world humanitarian Vandana Shiva, Native American activist Winona LaDuke, environmental activist Diane Wilson, ag economist extraordinaire John Ikerd and peak oil specialist James Kunstler.

The Farming for the Future conference continues to bring the PASA membership a high quality program with knowledgeable field experts, acclaimed keynote speakers, and special events. Year after year, conference staff and volunteers do their best to plan and provide this inspiring event, always with an eye to improve things as we can. Special features of the conference include; youth & teen programming, a babysitting program, a triumvirate of benefit auctions, the Sustainable TradeShow and Marketplace, and conference meals featuring sustainably, organically, and regionally raised foods from over forty PASA members.

Carbon Neutral Campus Petition

Right now we have a great opportunity to fight climate change at our school. This year the administration of American University is setting a target date for AU to become carbon neutral. That means what they decide in 2009-2010 will affect AU for decades to come. If American University is to continue to be a leader in sustainability, we need to set an aggressive date for carbon neutrality! Please follow this link and sign the petition to make American University carbon neutral by 2020.

http://www.petitiononline.com/AUnoCO2/petition.html

Please forward widely, the more people who sign the petition the bigger the impact we can have on the administration’s decision."

Environmental Film Series at AU

AU's Center for Environmental Filmmaking

And Filmmakers for Conservation



Present



The 5th Annual Spring Film Series

Spring 2010



Hosted by Chris Palmer and Justine Schmidt



All events are held in the Wechsler Theater at 7 pm on Tuesdays

3rd Floor, Mary Graydon Center, American University

4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-8017

Directions: http://www.american.edu/maps/

(Metro: Tenleytown/AU, shuttle bus service to AU)



The March 22-25 events are part of the Environmental Film Festival in the
Nation's Capital (www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org
)



ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

No Reservation Required



For more information, please contact Chris Palmer at 202-885-3408 or Justine
Schmidt at

202-413-4490, or visit environmentalfilm.org
or filmmakersforconservation.org






Tuesday, February 9 at 7 pm

The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos (Disneynature, 2008)

Film screening followed by Q&A with director Matthew Aeberhard

One lake, a million birds, an incredible story. See Disneynature's first
commissioned film about the fascinating life cycle of flamingos in a remote
area of Tanzania. Director Matt Aeberhard shot the film over a period of 13
months and will tell us the back story.



Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm

End of the Line

Film Screening

"End of the Line," the first major feature documentary film revealing the
impact of overfishing on our oceans, had its world premiere at the Sundance
Film Festival. Filmed over two years and across the world - from the Straits
of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market -
"End of the Line" is a wake-up call to the world.



Tuesday, February 23 at 7 pm

Thinking Big: USAID's Global Conservation Program

Andy Tobiason and Andrea Bloom

Biodiversity conservation activities protect species and habitats while
helping the U.S. Agency for International Development achieve its
development goals around the world. A new film produced by VideoTakes, Inc.
in collaboration with USAID and six conservation partners highlights
approaches and results from one of the Agency's most successful and
influential programs. Q & A about the program and the production process
will follow the film.



Tuesday, March 16 at 7 pm

Bottled Water: A Big Business with Big Problems

Chris O'Brien, Director of Sustainability, American University; and Paul
Wapner, Associate Professor, American University

View the documentary Tapped and get a behind-the-scenes look at the bottled
water industry and its vast array of negative consequences, from production
of the plastic bottles to the enormous trash piles in the ocean where many
end up. Chris O'Brien and Paul Wapner discuss issues raised in the film and
AU's efforts to decrease bottled water use on campus.



Monday, March 22 at 7 pm

"Lunch" and "Potato Heads": Two Washington, D.C. Premieres (cosponsored by
Earth Day Network)

Kathleen Rogers, Avis Richards, and Larry Engel

"Lunch," directed by Avis Richards, is a short documentary produced by Earth
Day Network which takes a close look at the nation's school food. "Potato
Heads," directed by Larry Engel, explores the origins and future of the
ubiquitous potato and takes a hard look at the importance of biodiversity
and food security. Followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.



Tuesday, March 23 at 7 pm

Preceded by a reception with drinks and food at 6 pm

Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal
Kingdom

An Evening with Chris Palmer. Introduced by Caroline Gabel, Board Chair,
Environmental Film Festival

Using clips from his award-winning films on bears, wolves, whales and
dolphins, Chris Palmer offers a preview of his insights into the wildlife
film business from his upcoming book,
ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1> Shooting in the Wild, which will be published in May by
Sierra Club Books. Chris will also announce the winners of the Eco-Comedy
Video Competition and show select clips.



Wednesday, March 24 at 7 pm

Student Environmental Short Film Festival, plus Panel Discussion
(co-sponsored by REI)

Hosted by Professors Chris Palmer and Sandy Cannon-Brown

Panel: Laura Waters Hinson, Lauren DeAngelis, and Joe Bohannon

A selection of short student films from seven different educational
institutions will be shown, including the winners of National Geographic's
Preserve Our Planet student film competition. This will be followed by a
panel discussion with three Student Academy Award winners: Laura Waters
Hinson (2008 gold winner for As We Forgive) and Lauren DeAngelis and Joe
Bohannon (2009 bronze winners for A Place to Land). The panelists produced
their films as graduate students at American University.



Thursday, March 25 at 7 pm

"Solar Energy for Life" and "Bon Appetit Monsieur Soleil": Two Washington,
D.C. Premieres (cosponsored by Solar Household Energy, Inc. and Solar
Cooking International)

Louise Meyer, Founder and Board Member of Solar Household Energy, and Pat
McArdle, Board Member of Solar Household Energy and Solar Cookers
International

"Solar Energy for Life" is a short film showing how solar oven construction
and use is changing local cooking practices and reducing the use of charcoal
and firewood in Madagascar. "Bon Appetit Monsieur Soleil" shows how solar
cookers introduced by a network of NGOs in Burkina Faso protect the forest
cover that remains in this small West African country. Followed by a
discussion with the citizen activists Louise Meyer and Pat McArdle.



Tuesday, March 30 at 7 pm

EcoViews: Life on the Bay World Premiere

AU Filmmakers and Professor Sandy Cannon-Brown

This HD production for Maryland Public Television was produced, shot and
edited by SOC students. It will air on MPT and other PBS stations during
Chesapeake Bay Week in April. The students will present their film, describe
how it was made, and answer questions.



Tuesday, April 6 at 7 pm

Classroom in the Wild in Florida

Chris Palmer, Danny Ledonne and students

Meet the students who camped in the wilds of Florida for a week over spring
break and worked together to complete film projects while living along the
Suwannee River. Students will lead a presentation that will include showing
the two films they made, photos they took, and the lessons they learned
during Classroom in the Wild.

JIS Symposium: Energy and Security

The Journal of International Service
proudly presents our annual Spring Symposium:

"Energy and Security in the 21st Century"

Butler Boardroom, MGC: Friday, January 29, 2010 at 5:00pm

     This symposium is intended to highlight the importance of energy in the near future. As the world becomes more interconnected and the developing world rises, the demand for energy will increase. Concurrently, new forms of energy are being pursued and existing forms of energy are increasingly being exploited. If governments and people around the world hope to ensure peace and prosperity for future, appropriate energy policy must be devised in order to meet the challenges of the future. During the event, it is the Journal’s goal to educate as well as facilitate stimulating discussion regarding energy policy.   

      Speakers that range across the policy spectrum will be present to give keen and diverse insight into the future of energy. Energy’s effect on defense, economics, politics, and civil society will be dissected. Our distinguished group of speakers will address the audience and take extensive time for question and answers. The night will conclude with a round table dinner for audience members to discuss energy related issues with both the speakers and fellow graduate students.

Moderated By:
Dean Louis Goodman, AU School of International Service
 
With Speakers:
 
Dr. Bernard Finel, American Security Project

Dr. Duncan Wood, Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico

Dr. Johanna Mendelson Forman, Center for Strategic and International Studies
 
Mr. Thomas Williams, AU School of Public Affairs
 
Dinner and Discussions to Follow
 
RSVP Online at:
www.journalofinternationalservice.org
 
If you have any questions, please contact Hierete Desta at events@journalofinternationalservice.org

Sustainable Food Jobs Website

Most Americans have never heard of the term “sustainable food.” Tell someone its your career focus and be prepared to explain yourself. Rest assured… this site understands what you mean with no elevator speech required! As a recent graduate looking to branch into the world of sustainable food, I had a difficult time knowing where to look for the most up-to-date job opportunities available. Typically, job listings are dispersed among environmental conservation and individual non-profit websites. But what if job seekers new to this and aren’t familiar with all of the non-profits that specialize in sustainable food? That is where this website comes in! It will provide job seekers with the most up-to-date job opportunities available in the domestic sustainable food sector. The site continues to evolve and receive positive response, including recent coverage in the Yale Sustainable Food Project Newsletter. It received over 27,000 hits and 550 Twitter followers within the first two months.

Check it out at sustainablefoodjobs.wordpress.com! Or follow us on Twitter @sustainfoodjobs for daily updates. If you know of any current jobs in sustainable food currently not listed on the website, please feel free to e-mail them this way. Or if you would like your organization listed on the Connect More page, please forward me your contact information. As opposed to general career websites, posting here lets you target specialized brain power. Garner a better qualified applicant pool that shares your values for a better food future in America! Any and all comments are greatly appreciated. Enjoy!

Raj Patel, author of "Stuffed and Starved", speaking TONIGHT

Raj Patel - The Value Of Nothing

January 14, 2010 - 7:00pm
How much would something cost if the price reflected ecological, social, and other costs currently hidden? Patel, a writer, activist, and academic, discusses markets, considers new ways of describing worth, and argues that current food, climate, and economic crises stem from larger political problems.

Location:
Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20008

DC Food Security Potluck THIS SUNDAY

DC Food For All ~ Potluck and Community Circle
Come join DC residents who are acting to expand availability of healthy, affordable, and sustainable food!

We are hosting the first of many monthly potlucks on Sunday, January 17th, 5 to 8 pm at Potter’s House in Columbia Heights/Adams Morgan.

This month’s discussion will be led by members of Rooting DC, who are planning Washington, DC’s 3rd annual Urban Gardening conference. Doors open at 5 pm, with discussion and dinner to start at 6 pm. The Potter’s House is at 1658 Columbia Rd NW, 3 blocks from the Columbia Heights metro & the Adams Morgan area. Donations are appreciated, but no one will be turned away!

WHO SHOULD COME?

Anyone who lives in Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, or Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods and is concerned about increasing community access to affordable, healthy, and sustainable foods.
Anyone who lives or works anywhere in Washington, DC, and is interested in becoming more involved with local movements to support food justice.
Anyone who works in DC on anti-hunger, national food policy, urban agriculture, or other sustainable food issues, and enjoys meeting diverse people who hold similar interests.
Anyone who loves to eat and share good food!


POTLUCK TIPS

Don’t have food to bring this time? Don’t panic! Come with your ideas, passion and hunger. Just come!
Support local farmers! Go shopping at Dupont Circle farmers market on Sunday morning, and prepare a delicious dish using fresh seasonal produce!
The Potter’s House is alcohol-free… please do not bring any!
If you can label ingredients in any food that you prepare and bring to share, please do!

RSVP at dcfoodforall@gmail.com or on the Facebook event page.

Help spread the word by distributing the flyer or handbill.

Urban Food Security Event

Time: January 26, 2010 from 6pm to 8pm
Location: National Building Museum


Event Description:
Given that the average grocery store vegetable travels 1500 miles to reach our plate, city leaders and community activists are investigating how we can increase farming inside our city limits. Find out how we can create oases where there were once food deserts.

A discussion with:
Josh Viertel, President, Slow Food USA
Liz Falk, Director and co-Founder, Washington DC based Common Good City Farm
Steve Cohen, food policy and programs, Portland Oregon’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
Allison Arieff, Food and Shelter Ambassador, GOOD and “By Design” columnist, The New York Times (moderator)

$12 Member | FREE Student | $20 Non-member
Members Series Ticket $35 | Non-Member Series Ticket $60
Prepaid registration required. Walk-in registration based on availability.

For the Greener Good lecture series is presented by The Home Depot Foundation.

Sodexo Foundation Accepting Applications for STOP Hunger Scholarships

The Sodexo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sodexo, Inc., has opened the application period for its national STOP Hunger Scholarship program. The program supports the education of young people who are working to end hunger in communities across the United States and brings attention to the innovative and effective solutions that they are implementing toward ending hunger in their lifetime.

Up to five students selected as national winners will each receive a $5,000 scholarship award and a matching $5,000 grant in their name for the hunger-related charity of their choice. In addition, up to twenty regional winners will receive a $1,000 grant in their name for the hunger-related charity of their choice.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an accredited education institution (kindergarten through graduate school) in the United States and be able to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to hunger-relief activities in their community.

For complete program information and the online application visit the Sodexo Foundation Web site

Contact:
Link to Complete RFP