Tilth Producers of Washington, the state’s oldest and largest association of organic growers, has opened registration for its annual organic farming conference being held at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Washington on Nov. 13–15.  

The event will address a variety of topics from pest and soil management to marketing cooperatives to livestock reintegration.        
The Tilth Producers’ conference provides a learning and networking environment for Washington-based organic farmers, who will receive first-hand insight on all aspects of practical organic growing, from soil standards to marketing and merchandising. 

The event’s keynote address presented by Dr. E. Ann Clark, coordinator of the Organic Agriculture major at the University of Guelph, the only program of its kind in Canada, will look towards the future of organic farming, examining what is needed to redesign the agri-food system for a post-oil future.
“Organic growers in Washington face a unique set of challenges, and what better way to learn and share a passion for organic growing than through the collective experience of peers,” stated Diane Dempster, President, Tilth Producers of Washington. “With growing demand for organic produce and more growers converting to organic practices, our annual conference is designed to educate, inspire and motivate through an abundance of insight passed from grower to grower.”

According to the latest data, U.S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to an estimated $20 billion in 2007 with an anticipated annual growth of 18 percent, and Washington state is the leading producer of organic apples, pears, and sweet cherries in the nation. 

With increasing demand for organic products and an expanding group of farmers converting to organic practices, the Tilth conference will allow organic growers and stakeholders to share and gain knowledge from those at the top of the organic field.

The three-day conference focuses on common issues faced by organic farmers, with methods for addressing these challenges provided by experts and individuals at the top of their fields. 

For the first time this year, Tilth Producers is offering conference workshops delivered in the Spanish language.

These workshops include an overview of the federal organic program, soil biology, organic fruit demand and production trends, integrated pest management for apple orchards, food safety, vegetable growing practices, and farm credit. 

In addition, Tilth Producers will offer a Friday symposium on the profitable production of organic fruits and vegetables using the latest in practical farming developments from innovative grower and farm consultant Amigo Bob Cantisano. 

Special events include a reception and value-added farm product tasting on Friday evening, plus an organic wine tasting, silent auction and live entertainment by the eclectic Seattle-based band Handful of Luvin’ on Saturday evening. 

A trade show runs throughout the Tilth Producers conference, featuring agricultural products and services of interest to growers. New and returning vendors are welcome.
Registration information, including a full schedule, trade show and sponsorship information for the 2009 Tilth Producers of Washington Conference is available at www.tilthproducers.org <http://www.tilthproducer.org/> . Discounted registration is available for all Tilth members. 

Reduced rate accommodations are available at the Red Lion Yakima Center, by mentioning Tilth Producers of Washington. For general inquiries contact Nancy Allen at nancy@tilthproducers.org.