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2004 CORNS Conference
2004 Conservation Organization for the Restoration of Native Seed (CORNS) Conference in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the Countryside Gardener, October 29 and 30. The event is free, and anyone committed to buying direct from local producers, supporting local economies and small businesses which protect the land, livestock, plant and wildlife, and work towards sustainability will find the program interesting and informative.
Producers will also find it interesting, because the CORNS organization
will begin taking applications at the conference for participation in its
BELIEF program, a 2 year support program for producers with less than 180
acres and who earn less than $50,000/year. I clipped some paragraphs
about the program from the groups website and they are below, also the
list of speakers.
For more information, visit the group's website at http://worldscorn.org,
or you can contact cooperative member Beth Skye.
B.E.L.I.E.F. PROGRAM
"B.E.L.I.E.F. can be the bridge for these farmers to becoming profitable
enterprises."
The 2004 CORNS, Inc Conference will announce and begin taking application
for its new program B.E.L.I.E.F. - Benefits for Earth's Low Income Emerging Farmers. B.E.L.I.E.F. offers a two year business support and training program free for qualifying small farms under 180 acres and currently grossing under $50,000 a year. Toops said, "We all know that the small farmer is an endangered species with the growing strength of corporate farming operations. CORNS, Inc sees that there are strong and
growing niche markets which are creating new and rich opportunities for
"sundowner" or "weekender" farmers. This program is designed to help small farmers identify a niche, create a business plan, find funding, and develop marketing and distribution networks.
Toops emphasized, "We organized this year's conference with the intention
of giving information, contacts, and resources that
small farmers and gardeners can walk away with to make their operation more viable. Our speakers offer a rich and diverse range
of success stories, along with information on niche markets, funding,
services and distribution opportunities. We envision
spirited breakout sessions between attendees and speakers alike."
SPEAKERS
Speakers include:
Jim Horn, Director, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture,
Clayton Broscopie, Executive Director, Traditional Native American Farmers Association,
Earl Hatley, President, LEAD Agency - Tar Creek,
Cissy Bowman, President of the Organic Farmers Market Association and owner of Center Valley Organic Farms,
Malcom Beck, organic farming pioneer and author of "The Bug Book",
Susan Campbell, Consultant with the organic food industry and author of the "Healthy School Lunch Program" and "Generation RX",
Dr. Beth Caniglia, member of the Environmental Institute and the School of International Studies,
Steve Swogger, Agricultural Liaison, Natural Resources Department, Cherokee Nation,
Kathy Carter-White, Solutions Group Researcher and
Writer for the Cherokee Nation,
Kamala Gamble, CSA entrepreneur, chef and owner of Kamala's Kitchen,
Richard Ortez, owner The Boarding House, El Sueno Gardens and El Sueno Enterprises,
Kurt Fleischfresser, head chef for the Coach House Restaurant in Oklahoma City
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