January 14, 2008
Rural Advantage Conference Feb. 1-2 in Omaha Focuses on Local Foods
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraskans interested in local foods and the demand for them can learn more at the Rural Advantage: Profitable and Sustainable Agricultural Opportunities for Nebraska conference Feb. 1-2 in Omaha.
The conference, at Metropolitan Community College, Fort Omaha Campus, will focus on local foods this year.
Along with an emphasis on local foods, this event will feature regional and nationally known speakers who will share their knowledge and expertise.
Rob Marqusee, director of rural economic development in Woodbury County, Iowa, will be the keynote speaker. Marqusee has implemented economic policies and tax incentives for producers that convert to organic production in Woodbury County.
After the keynote discussion, participants can choose from four tracks of programs. The tracks are Alternative Agriculture Opportunities, Common Sense Conservation and Acquisition and Preparation of Food, and Food Health Connections.
Program titles include: Small Fruit Production; Water Conservation on the Acreage; Local Food Systems; Healthy People, Plants and Animals Begins with Soil; Commercial Vegetable Production and Marketing; Water Conservation in the Landscape; Cheese Making 101A; Nutrition: Local, Organic and Other Perspectives; Organic Vegetable Production and Marketing; Water Conservation in the Home; Basic Vegetable Cuts; Food as Medicine; Production and Marketing of Beef; Water Quality and Safety; Beef in Bulk; Natural Meat Production on a Small Farm; Farm Bill Update; Recipe Writing; Building a Legacy; Energy Conservation on the Farm; Cheese Making 101B; Nebraska Woody Florals; Transitioning to Organic Production; Chicken Fabrication and Packaging; Nourishing Traditions; Saskatoon Production – Small Berry, Huge Potential; Conservation Practices in Organic Production; Cooking Grass Fed Beef; and Food Nutrition and Safety.
An capnote address, Wealth Creation as a Valid Rural Development Objective, will be presented by Vincent Amanor-Boadu, assistant professor of agriculture economics at Kansas State University, during lunch Feb. 2.
Early registration on or before Jan. 25 for the entire conference is $70 and includes two lunches, breaks and an information packet. Registration after Jan. 25 is $80. Single-day registrations are available at $45. Additional family members can attend for $60 per person. For those attending the Friday night all-Nebraska dinner, the cost is $25 per person and $12 for youth, 12 and under.
A youth program will be offered for youths ages 6 to 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 and 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Feb. 2. Registration is $35 for all students, elementary through college.
For more information, contact a local University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension office, Gary Lesoing at (402) 274-4755, glesoing2@unl.edu@, Monte Stauffer at (402) 444-7804, mstauffer1@unl.edu or Brian O'Malley at (402) 457-2615.
The conference is sponsored by UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Nebraska Sustainable Agricultural Society.
1/14/08-AB Gary Lesoing
UNL Extension Extension Educator - Nemaha County (402) 274-4755
 
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department:
Cooperative Extension
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