Innovations in organic agriculture will be featured at research symposium
More than 40 presenters from across the U.S. and abroad will share the latest developments in organic farming research at the Organic Agriculture Research Symposium (OARS), which will be held in La Crosse, Wisconsin on February 25-26. Participants will learn about new crop varieties developed for organic production, innovations in biological pest management, recent economic data, and advancements in organic livestock care and feeding, and more.
Chuck Benbrook from Washington State University will deliver the featured keynote on “The Benefits of Organic Agriculture: Evidence Based Results.” Benbrook’s presentation will include the latest research on the health, quality and nutritional benefits of organically grown food.
Organic farmers are especially encouraged to participate in a listening and planning session on research priorities for organic agriculture. Ideas gleaned from this listening session will inform future organic research.
OARS is hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and Department of Agronomy, and sponsored by the USDA Organic Research and Education Initiative, The Organic Center and Ceres Trust.
The early registration deadline is January 26. For more information, online registration and room reservations, visit the OARS website: http://www.cias.wisc.edu/oars/. For a limited time, the Radisson La Crosse is offering a special room rate for conference participants.
The symposium will be held immediately before the MOSES Organic Farming Conference. OARS participants who wish to attend the MOSES conference on the evening of Thursday, February 26th are offered a special discounted rate of $20. Registration for the MOSES conference is handled separately at http://mosesorganic.org/conference/.
For more information contact Michelle Miller, (608) 262-7135, mmmille6@wisc.edu.