The Wisconsin Forum on Rural and Urban Agriculture 

Registration currently available without lunch only!

A coalition of forward-thinking farmers, economists, environmentalists, health professionals, sportsmen, rural citizens and others concerned with the quality and safety of food, water and air, will come together at the first annual Wisconsin Forum on Rural and Urban Agriculture to be held in Madison on November 11 and 12. The goal of the forum is to unite participants around shared goals through information, participation and action.

• What are the realities of Wisconsin farming today?
• How did we get to this point where policy supports an unsustainable model of agriculture?
• What are the public health implications of our agriculture and food systems in both urban and rural areas?
• What’s the link between farm quality and food quality?
• What can you do about the factory farm near you?
• How do we make our voices heard?

These questions and more will be discussed by an outstanding line up of experts.

For generations, farming has been a central force in the economy of Wisconsin. Today organic and sustainably produced meat, milk and crops are the fastest growing sector of our food economy. Wisconsin is a national leader in the production of high-quality, value added agriculture that strengthens communities and protects our air, land and water through sustainable practices. Yet current policy unfairly favors industrial-sized operations and brings environmental and economic hardships to rural communities.

Join us in this important step toward building a broad, inclusive movement to promote sustainable and safe food systems in Wisconsin and beyond.

Agenda

Friday, November 11 - This free community event will be held at Tripp Commons at UW-Madison Memorial Union and is open to the public.  

5:00-6:30 pm              Registration/Reception at Tripp Commons in Memorial Union
6:30-7:00                     Welcome/Introduction
7:00-9:00                     John Ikerd, “How Did We Get Here? Where Are We Going? Growing Together in                                               Strength.”

Saturday, November 12 - Forum fee of $30 covers the cost of materials and lunch made with local foods (limited scholarships available).

8:00-9:00 am                 Registration at the Pyle Center, UW-Madison
9:00-9:30                        Welcome/Introduction
9:30-9:45                        Transition Time
9:45-11:45                      Break Out Sessions:
                                         - Farm/Food Economics
                                         - Food Quality/Farm Quality
                                         - Citizen Science/Air and water issues
                                         - The Power of the Message: Communicating with the Public, Media                      
                                             and Legislators
11:45-12:00 pm            Transition Time
12:00-1:15                      Lunch with Keynote Speakers Tony Schultz/Kat Becker
1:15-1:30                        Transition Time
1:30-3:30                        Repeat of Morning Sessions
3:30-3:45                        Transition Time
3:45-4:30                        Closing/Future Planning

Click here for detailed session descriptions.  Speaker bios available here.  

$20 registration fee for general public (includes all forum sessions).  Forum is free to UW-Madison students, staff, and faculty.  Lunch reservations are no longer available.