The 6th Annual Soil & Nutrition Conference

Nature as Solution: Cultivating synergy to put nutrition & flavor back on the table

Conference programming is geared towards shared experience and building understanding to better address challenges on the farm, in lifestyle and overall human health.  Sorted into eight distinct focus themes, each aimed at sharing insights and techniques from leaders in the field of ecological agriculture, commercial and scale production, on-farm metrics for management and quality assessment, holistic modeling for the field and as a part of farmer and consumer care.  Join us to put the pieces together as we hear from doctors, researchers, food scientists, agronomists, and highly-respected farmers.  Learn more about this year’s topics and workshop descriptions.

When:  December 4-6, 2016
Where: Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, MA

Cost: $225 for general admission, $200 for BFA Members, register here!
Workshops will explore a broad range of topics:
Biological management for environmental health and farm profitability;
Carbon sequestration, climate change, and agriculture as possible solution;
The relationship between microbes in healthy soil and the human microbiome;
Healing your body with food;
The human as a holistic part of the farm-scape;
Maximizing the potential of seed as inflection point;
Sensory perception as a metric of food quality;
Structured water, frequency information and interconnected systems;
No-till for the farm enterprise;
Five senses to give your body what it needs;
and much more!

View all workshop descriptions here.

New this year: three distinct tasting workshops!
Research has clearly drawn a line from the levels of micronutrients in our food to the flavor compounds synthesized from these critical components—omega-3s, essential amino acids and carotenoids—suggesting the flavors we enjoy are evolutionary cues for vital nutrients that our bodies need.  Learn from experts in food science, plant breeding, seed production, and medicinal remedy formulation about how your senses can be your most potent tool to assess quality in your daily life:
• Selena Ahmed, PhD from Montana State University, will be offering a comprehensive tea tasting based on her research in production and flavor development through management practice;
• Lane Selman, founder of the Culinary Breeding Network, and John Navazio, plant breeder for Johnny’s Selected Seeds, are combining their considerable experience to offer participants the opportunity to assess different varieties of beets, carrots & peppers through breed, variety and preparation technique;
• Guido Masé, clinical herbalist and co-founder of Urban Moonshine Apothecary, will be discussing the science behind organolepsis, the analysis of taste, odor, mouthfeel, visual characteristics, tactile elements such as fracture and crumble, and how we can leverage a common sensory language to evaluate botanical quality.
Learn more about the tastings and the conference program here.

Pre-conference Sunday social mixer!
Join them Sunday evening, December 4, from 6-9pm, for conversation, discussion tables and a viewing of the short documentary film, “Unbroken Ground” – a critical look at sustainability in the food system and the stories of producers using ecological management to build community, grow high vitality food, and thriving businesses. This event is a great opportunity to meet our conference speakers, as well as share ideas and connect with other conference attendees. Hors d’oeuvres and holiday beverages will be provided. All are welcome!