Agriculture Teach-In/ Thurs Feb 28/ Koldus 110/ 6:00-8:15

We are hosting the second teach-in this semester on the Agriculture system. Three speakers will be highlighting different dimensions of our food choices.  Farmers markets nation-wide have more-than doubled in the last 15 years, Community Support Agriculture programs have reached at least 1700, and awareness about the energy intensity, unreliable sustainability, and animal and social cruelty involved in conventional farming methods . This amounts to seeing changes in our food system in generally two ways, one surges the war on nature using crop and nutrition science with new marketing, packaging, and pre-processed microwave-ability, and the other shares a growing concern for mindful relationships with the land utilizing new farming methods like biodynamics, agroecology, and permaculture. This event will open up these sides and the in-between gray areas about how to get from our present system that often offers fast imitations of food to a healthier system that honors the services, beauty, and evolved workings of nature.

Panelists include:
Dr. Bruce McCarl, member of the IPCC and a Co-Recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize - speaking on climate change effects on agriculture

Dr. James Richardson, Director of the Agriculture & Food Policy Center - speaking on the effects of tax and Farm Bill policies

Brad Stufflebeam, President of the Texas Organic Farmers and Growers Association - speaking on localizing the food system

After the panel we are looking forward to opening up space for lively discussions with the speakers and participants interested in what we can do to make changes in Bryan-College Station.