Download bulletin here: SCOAR bulletin 7-21-06 (pdf)

The Scientific Congress on Organic Agricultural Research (SCOAR) has issued the 12th in a series of occasional bulletins providing selected information on organic research programs, positions, funding, and reports, as well as news about SCOAR itself. These reports are sent via email to registered SCOAR participants. For previous bulletins,
registration and other organizational information, see SCOAR’s web site.

SCOAR is a collaboration of producers and scientists, whose mission is to plan and promote research and information exchange for understanding and improving organic agricultural systems.

The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture (NCSA) has posted its July news bulletin containing information about policy issues, upcoming events, funding opportunities and industry happenings.

The NCSA is a diverse nationwide partnership of individuals and organizations cultivating grass roots efforts to engage in policy development processes that result in food and agricultural systems and rural communities that are healthy, environmentally sound, profitable, humane and just.

From August 23-25, 2006, the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus will be the international epicenter for organic livestock producers and researchers, when the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) holds the first-ever international conference on organic livestock.

Leading organic livestock researchers and producers from throughout the world will share research findings and production information during the three-day event. Complete information about the conference, including on-line registration, can be found at IFOAM International Conference on Animals in Organic Production. See also the most current Conference Program (pdf) and Plenary and Workshop Schedule (pdf).

Day One:
The conference will begin on August 23 with tours of organic livestock farms in the Twin Cities area, including lunch and a tour of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

During the evening of August 23, opening remarks will be delivered by Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Gene Hugoson, and the UMN’s Dean of Extension, Bev Durgan. The opening keynote will given by Dr. Fred Kirschenmann of Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Dr. Kirschenmann will discuss, “Animals in an Organic System: Exploring the Ecological, Social, and Economic Functions of Animals in Organic Agriculture. Read the rest of this entry »