Mar 11, 2020
MOSES posts video of keynote speeches, awards
If you missed the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) Organic Farming Conference – or if you just missed some of its best parts– they’re now available online.
MOSES recently posted keynote speeches and awards ceremonies from the conference on YouTube, where they’re available for viewing.
Keynote: Reclaiming the Future of Farming
John Ikerd, a former university professor Agricultural economics, gave a keynote address ending the conference on “Reclaiming the Future of Farming.“ Ikerd was raised on a small dairy farm in Missouri, and earned bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri, and spent 30 years working as faculty at four different state universities before retiring in early 2000.
Uprooting Racism Seeding Sovereignty
Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm gave a keynote address about eliminating discrimination and using Afro-Indigenous wisdom to reshape the food system. Penniman is the author of Farming while Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land.
Changemaker awards
Steve Acheson
An Iraq war veteran from Blanchardville, Wisconsin, he started a farm, Peacefully Organic Produce, helped create Wisconsin Veterans for Compassionate Care and the South Central WI Hemp Producers Cooperative.
Loretta Livingston and Joy Schelble
Bad River Food Sovereignty Program teaches Native Americans in Wisconsin’s Bad River area to harvest, preserve and prepare wild foods as well as how to grow food in gardens and high tunnels.
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin
A native Guatemalan who now lives in Northfield, Minnesota, he founded the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, a group dedicated to “higher standards in food production and supply-chain management.” He accepted the award with representatives of the Mayan nation.
Farmers of the Year
Jane and David Stevens
Four Elements growers Jane and David Stevens took center stage as the organization honored them as their 2020 Organic Farmers of the Year.
