Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Joel Salatin Coming to Fergus Falls

Renowned sustainable farmer Joel Salatin will speak during afternoon and evening events at Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Fergus Falls on Thursday, March 3. The events, which are open to the public, are sponsored by the college’s Sustainable Food Production program and Communicating for Agriculture.

Salatin is the proprietor of Polyface Farm, a family-run beyond organic, local-market farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. His
farming practices are featured in “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” “Food Inc.” and “Fresh” and have earned him world-wide recognition as a leader in the local foods movement.

Salatin now shares his farming philosophy and methods through outreach events, presentations and publications. He is the author several celebrated books on food production, including “You Can Farm,” “Salad Bar Beef,” “Pastured Poultry Profits” and “Holy Cows and Hog Heaven.”

The March 3 program on the Fergus Falls campus includes:

1:30-3 p.m.: Salatin will explain the grass-based polyculture system he stewards at Polyface farm to produce high quality beef, pork, poultry, rabbit, eggs and lumber.

3 - 4:30 p.m.: A panel of farmers will discuss sustainable,nutrient-dense vegetable production.

6:30 p.m.: Salatin’s keynote address will the necessary components of a durable, local food system.

The presentations are open to the public for a $15 suggested donation. Proceeds will be used to fund scholarships for students in M State’s
Sustainable Food Production diploma program.

For more information on the March 3 events, contact Marci King at
218-736-1625 or marci.king@minnesota.edu.

[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, Minnesota]