News

Tennessee’s only organic growers association prepares for their 7th annual conference, hosting attendees for a two day event on Friday and Saturday, March 25th and 26th, 2011. This year’s event will be held at the Lakeshore Christian Church, 5434 Bell Forge Lane East, Antioch, and will feature two days of educational workshops, speakers and farm tours.

The conference begins at noon on Friday with an afternoon touring local farms that specialize in producing products for local direct sales, ranging from animal to mushroom production, and all practicing organic and sustainable methods. The tours offer fellow farmers and growing enthusiasts a personal look inside farm operations and an opportunity to talk directly to farmers about their successes, hurdles and opportunities. Bus transportation is provided for the tours, which conclude at 5 p.m..

A full day of workshops starts on Saturday. Workshop sessions begin at 9:00 am. Professional farmers, hobby farmers, backyard gardeners and local food enthusiasts alike will find sessions that fit their skill level and areas of interest, and range from urban farming, mushroom production, organic fruit production, and beekeeping to local food systems and more.

Taking a mid-day break from workshops, attendees will enjoy lunch provided by Whole Foods Market in Cool Springs with Chef Michael Martin and feature meats from Peaceful Pastures Farm, coffee by Roast Inc., and locally grown produce.

Complimenting lunch, keynote speaker Barbara Pleasant, will inspire the crowd with her knowledge of sustainable and organic growing methods.

For more information on the conference or to register for the event online, visit the TOGA web site at www.tnorganics.org.