SHAPING THE FUTURE AT UPCOMING NEW YORK FARM FORUM
January 18, 2012 - Craryville, NY --- Steffen Schneider, Director of Farm Operations at Hawthorne Valley Farm, will give the keynote address at Farming Our Future on Saturday, February 25th at Taconic Hills Central School. This inaugural conference for local and regional farmers, educators, farmers' market managers, agricultural students, providers of goods and services, and consumers will engage the agriculture community to think about its work toward Growing Food, Farms and Community in the context of a rapidly changing local, regional and global food system.
Steffen Schneider will offer his thoughts on the past, present, and future of agriculture both locally and globally in his keynote address: "Agri-culture 3.0: An Agricultural Narrative for the Future". According to Schneider, “Agriculture has the potential to provide real solutions to many of the challenges we face as a society and as individuals. Farms in Columbia County and the Hudson Valley already are, and can become even greater, pioneers of this future. Can we develop a narrative that will inspire and drive such a development?”
Panel discussions, workshops, poster presentations and networking throughout the daylong conference will explore critical issues such as how to protect vital farmland, understanding financing options, engaging your community, expansion and diversification, marketing, sharing of resources, and much more. The "World Café" portion of the program will provide opportunities for attendees to gather around topics of common interest, share collaborative dialogue, share knowledge and create possibilities for action.
Taconic Hills agriculture students are developing and creating youth workshops under the direction of Vanessa Merrill, Agriculture Teacher and Sandra Gardner, Director of Instruction and Staff Development. All proceeds from the conference will benefit the H.A.R.V.E.S.T club, the award winning agricultural program spearheaded by the students and advisors.
Registration for Farming Our Future - Growing Food, Farms and Community is now open. To register or for more information please visit www.farmingourfuture.org.
###
About Steffen Schneider and Hawthorne Valley Farm
Steffen Schneider has been farming in Columbia County for over twenty years. He joined Hawthorne Valley Farm in 1989. He has managed the dairy herd, served as Farm Manager, and, in 2008, became Director of Farm Operations. He has presented at numerous conferences included the National Biodynamic Conference, Northeast Organic Farming Conference, and the 2008 Acres Conference.
Hawthorne Valley Farm works to weave together farm-based learning, Biodynamic food production, and sensitive land stewardship. Since its founding in 1972, Hawthorne Valley Farm has grown into a highly diversified operation encompassing 400 acres of forests, fields, and streams in central Columbia County, NY. Over 20,000 children have visited the farm over its 40 year history. Hundreds of teenagers and young adults have gained experience as farm-based education interns and farm camp counselors, and 90 adults have either worked or been trained as apprentices.
The heart of the farm, giving rhythm to all farm activities, is the 60-cow dairy herd. Vegetable production spans 12 acres and includes a 300-member Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The farm also includes a full-line natural foods store and certified-organic Bakery, Creamery, and Sauerkraut Cellar. More information can be found at www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org or by calling 518-672-7500.
Hawthorne Valley Farm is part of Hawthorne Valley Association, a diverse not-for-profit dedicated to social and cultural renewal through the integration of education, agriculture, and the arts. The campus includes a Waldorf school; working Biodynamic farm; on-farm education programs; a full-line natural foods store; social, ecological, and cultural research groups; teacher training programs; and more. For more information, please call 518-672-5808, visit www.hawthornevalleyassociation.org, or stop by 327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075.
About Taconic Hills Central School Districts' H.A.R.V.E.S.T. Club
The HARVEST Club is a group of K-12 school students who want to grow plants in a garden and use the produce in useful ways, learn about agriculture and promote good, healthy food resources, and to understand the process of growing and marketing produce from the farm to the table.
The purpose of the HARVEST Club is to get school students involved in an proactive outdoor activity, to expand and enrich their school environment, to produce fresh and healthy fruits, flowers, and vegetables with no chemical additions for our cafeteria and our community, and to connect with other agencies and people in our community. Our vision is to foster a sustainable school garden program, to beautify and fully utilize our recreational resources, to develop a fully functioning 21’ X 48’ commercial grade greenhouse that is a learning station with integration across curricular areas Pre‐K through 12, to grow and eat our own nutritious foods and compost our own food waste, to enjoy healthy exercise, and build healthy relationships with peers and adults. For more information please contact Sandra Gardner, 518-325-2805 or by email sgardner@taconichills.k12.ny.us.
