The Organic Summit 2011: Agenda
Sponsors
Co-located with:
The Organic Summit is a leadership forum for open and in-depth discussion on breaking organic industry issues. Attendees have a unique opportunity to participate at a very intimate level with the discussion and solutions to the issues posed at the sessions that begin at The Organic Summit and continue throughout the year.
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In June 2011, a gathered cross-section of organic stakeholders came together in Boulder, Colorado to discuss a unified strategy for non-GMO initiatives. Out of that meeting, several task forces formed with designated goals including the following:
1. Threshold Task Force
2. Outreach: Communication Toolkit
3. Liability: Farmers' right to grow crops free of GMO contamination; includes fisherman. Place the liability on patent holder and manufacturer of technology
4. Labeling: California Ballot Measure
5. Research Funding and Seed Innovation: Identify new research, update existing research; Focus on impacts of GMOs on human health and environment
6. Research Access, Patent Reform: IP issues with researchers; Public research stays in public domain; no utility patents on living organisms
Last year Bob Scowcroft pleaded with the Organic community to engage next generation farmers. Half of all U.S. farmers are predicted to retire in the next decade, with no one to pass on their land or skills. From inner-city urban farming programs to agriculture grants for returning war veterans, how can we expand opportunities for the next generation of farmers to move Organic forward?
Dave Kingsbury and Nancy Coulter-Parker travelled the country to interview and observe consumers in their own household environments. Their video footage reveals shocking disparities among U.S. regions with regard to organic perception, access, and consumerism. This ethnographic study will make you question how your brand is perceived and distributed, and what you can do to move Organic forward across the nation.
All delegates are invited to submit ideas for solutions to Move Organic Forward in one of the four Areas of Action. You will be invited to join a “task force” and work together to implement the very solutions you bring to the table.
Next year, in 2012, you will be given an opportunity to account for the efforts your working group made together as well as celebrate achievements.
Working Groups will meet in the following locations:
Holiday Ballroom #1 – Future of WellnessHoliday Ballroom #2 – Next Generation of Organic FarmersHoliday Ballroom #3 – 2012 Farm Bill Holiday Ballroom # 4,5,6 – Non-GMO Task Forces
After the working groups have discussed viable solutions and goals, each group is invited to share their solution ideas with the room. All delegates are welcome to pledge their commitment to their solution ideas, and will be held accountable by peers throughout the year.