FYI.

Growing the Local Food Economy

Joel Salatin will be speaking at The Chattanoogan - March 3, 2004

Joel Salatin is a 3rd generation organic livestock farmer and a
nationally
renowned speaker on organic farming and "relationship marketing." He is
on
a
mission to develop emotionally, economically and environmentally
enhanced
agricultural enterprises, and facilitate their duplication around the
world.
Part of that goal is to produce the best food in the world.

Throughout farm country, farmers are examining their options, trying to
determine the best means of survival. Many are finding the best strategy
is
to assess the needs of the marketplace, then devise ways of filling a
spectrum of niches. Joel Salatin's Polyface Farm is proof that a prudent
farmer of modest means can prosper through a strategy of maximum
diversity.


Joel's formula is more complex than just making a profit on his farm
near
Swoope, Virginia. It includes using the land in multiple ways, following
ecologically friendly principles, and then directly markets the farm's
bounty to consumers.

Salatin and his farm have appeared on NBC and have been featured in
National
Geographic and Smithsonian magazines. He is author of several books on
sustainable farming and has also received numerous conservation awards.
This
is an exciting opportunity for Chattanoogans to learn how to sustain
area
family farms, either as consumers or farmers. The lectures are free  and
open to the public.

Location

.        The event is located at The Chattanoogan, 201 South Broad
Street,
in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee.

.        The event is on Wednesday March 3, 2004 from Noon to 4:30.

*            The lectures are free to the public. Lunch is $15.

*            To register, please RSVP to Shirley at 757-5010



Agenda

*            12:00-1:30 Lunch


*            45 minute presentation on Agriculture and the Regional Food
System

*            To attend the lectures and/or lunch ($15), RSVP to Shirley
at
757-5010

*            2:00-3:15   Slide show - Sustainable Agriculture

*            3:30-4:30   Questions and Answer / Discussion



Sponsors

The event is co-sponsored by Greenlife Grocery, Chattanooga Market,
Crabtree
Farms, Walker County Young Farmers and Slow Food.

_____________________________

Vanessa Mercer
Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga
P.O. Box 2250
1000 East 30th St.
Chattanooga, TN 37409


Kelly Jackson
Extension Agent - Hamilton County
University of Tennessee
Agriculture Extension Service
6183 Adamson Circle
Chattanooga, TN 37416
423.855.6113 Phone
423.855.6115 Fax
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