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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:17.0pt;font-family:"Times","serif"'>Know
Your Farmer, Know Your Food conference seeks to educate growers, administrators
and the public about local, sustainable food </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times","serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>EL RENO,
Okla – Agriculture has always been big business in Oklahoma, but the
nature of that business is changing. As consumer interest in local food and
organics has increased, farmers are changing their business plans to include
direct marketing and sustainable growing methods. A conference and gala dinner
organized by the Great Plains RC&D seeks to educate growers, consumers and
agriculture agency employees about the changing face of agriculture so they can
get involved. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>The Know
Your Farmer, Know Your Food conference and gala will be July 1 at Redlands
Community College in El Reno. The conference will have three tracks: marketing,
growing and Farm to School. According to the event’s organizer, Larry
Wright, the idea behind this approach is to appeal to a broad range of
interested parties.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>“Government
agency officials and extension agents will be one section of our audience, but
so will growers and individuals who want to raise crops and learn more about
sustainable agriculture,” he says. “Then we are offering a separate
Farm to School track that will help education administrators and cafeteria
workers understand how to buy local food and how use fresh vegetables.”</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>Presenters
for the marketing tract include representatives from the Food and Agricultural
Products Center, the Oklahoma Food Cooperative, farmer’s markets, rural
development programs and Urban Agrarian. Information will also be presented
about third party certification and food safety regulations. The growing tract
will include topics such as season extension through hoop houses,
plasticulture, soil health and organic farming. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>The
keynote address will be delivered by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan,
who is leading a “Know Your farmer, Know Your Food initiative on a
national level. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>Matt
Burch with Urban Agrarian—a business connecting local, sustainable farmers
with consumers in the Oklahoma City metro—says he hopes the conference
will encourage new growers. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>“Our
farmers’ market sales have more than doubled since last year,” he says.
“Demand isn’t my problem right now, its supply. When it comes to
the most popular crops, I can sell as much as someone can grow for me.” </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>Wright
hopes that consumer enthusiasm will be on display later in the evening at the
gala dinner, which will take place at the historic Darlington Indian Agency
near El Reno. The gala is an opportunity for consumers and producers to kick up
their heels and celebrate local agriculture together. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>An
all-local meal prepared by Oklahoma City chef Kamala Gamble will be the main
attraction, but there will also be music provided by Damon Jackson, an eclectic
band with local food ties. Square dancing, wine tasting and opportunities to
meet and purchase food from local farmers will round out the evening. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:150%'><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Times","serif"'>The
registration deadline for the conference and gala is June 19. Conference
registration is $20, gala tickets are $25 and a ticket that includes both
events can be purchased for $40. More information is available online at <a
href="http://www.GreatPlainsRCD.org">www.GreatPlainsRCD.org</a> or by calling
580-832-3661. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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