Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group 2013 Conference

About: 

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, commonly known as Southern SAWG, was founded in 1991 to foster a movement towards a more sustainable farming and food system – one that is ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just and humane. We function as a regional entity, working with and through hundreds of associated organizations across 13 southern states. By building partnerships, sharing information and conducting analysis, we transform isolated ideas and innovations into practical tools and approaches for widespread use.

*Conference includes two full days of Pre-Conference activities starting Wednesday morning, including an excellent variety of Short Courses, Mini Courses and Field Trips, plus a Virtual Farm Tour Extravaganza and a Seed Swap. Some fee waivers available.

"Sustainability and Agriculture: A report from the front lines" by Molly Jahn, University of Wisconsin

Campus Seminar on Monday, Nov. 12, 4pm, Kleberg building, Rm 127: 

Molly Jahn, Professor of Agronomy, former Dean of Agricultural and LIfe Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and former Deputy Under Secretary at the US Department of Agriculture, is an eminent plant geneticist and breeder whose crop varieties are now grown on six continents.  Throughout her career, Dr. Jahn's work has linked fundamental advances in crop genetics and genomics with breakthroughs in agriculture in the U.S. and around the world through innovative partnerships with farmers, industry, non-profits, government and international agricultural organizations.  In 2011, Dr. Jahn was selected to represent the U.S. on a major international commission focused on sustainable agriculture and food security.  

At her Bush Presidential Library forum talk Tuesday evening, Dr. Jahn will share her perspectives on global food security and the innovations in agriculture, food systems and natural resource management that will be critical to our survival and prosperity in the 21st century.  Today, in a world with a billion hungry and a billion suffering from over-consumption, we produce enough food for everyone to have enough to eat.  What are the near term steps we could take to improve food security in the U.S. and around the world?  And what about a future where our agricultural and food systems are further threatened by increasing population, changing climate and degradation of critical natural resources?  Can agriculture move from extractive to regenerative modes, restoring and enhancing our natural resource base while meeting human needs and demands?

GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ISSUES FORUM SERIES:

"Food Security, 21st Century Agricultural Systems and Genomics" by Molly Jahn, University of Wisconsin.  November 13, 2012,  7 p.m., Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, Hagler Auditorium.   A reception will follow. Through a generous sponsorship from AT&T the event is offered free of charge, but reservations are strongly recommended.  Register for free online at http://jahn.eventbrite.com/