FINAL REPORT

# people	percent	State
1	0.48%	AL
5	2.40%	CA
1	0.48%	CO
6	2.88%	CT
3	1.44%	DE
2	0.96%	GA
1	0.48%	HI
1	0.48%	IA
1	0.48%	IN
5	2.40%	KY
21	10.10%	MA
1	0.48%	Manitoba, Canada
13	6.25%	MD
15	7.21%	ME
2	0.96%	MN
1	0.48%	MO
1	0.48%	MT
3	1.44%	NC
1	0.48%	ND
2	0.96%	NE
11	5.29%	NH
3	1.44%	NJ
2	0.96%	NT
30	14.42%	NY
2	0.96%	OH
3	1.44%	OK
2	0.96%	Ontario
1	0.48%	OR
20	9.62%	PA
1	0.48%	RI
2	0.96%	SC
1	0.48%	SD
1	0.48%	St. Thomas V.I.
1	0.48%	TN
1	0.48%	UT
1	0.48%	VA
26	12.50%	VT
1	0.48%	WA
11	5.29%	WV

#	Percent	Primary profession
11	5.29%	administration
1	0.48%	Community organizer
1	0.48%	Consultant
1	0.48%	crop consultant
3	1.44%	EPA
50	24.04%	Extension
59	28.37%	Farmer
1	0.48%	Food CO-OP
1	0.48%	Librarian
1	0.48%	looking for work
1	0.48%	marketing consultant
9	4.33%	Media
3	1.44%	NCRS
23	11.06%	NGO
1	0.48%	non-profit technical/assistance provider
1	0.48%	Other
19	9.13%	Research
5	2.40%	state agency
9	4.33%	student/intern
1	0.48%	University
1	0.48%	USDA

overall, the conference was: excellent v.good good fair poor

151 1 45 4

72.6% .5% 22.2% 2.0% 0%

workshops I attended were: excellent v.good good good/fair fair poor

118 3 66 1 7

56.7% 1.5% 31.7% 0.5% 3.5% 0%

poster presentations were: excellent v.good good fair poor

113 1 75 6

54.3% .5% 40.0% 3.0% 0%

the farm tour I went on was: excellent good fair poor

66 29 5

31.7% 14.3% 2.5% 0%

Attending the conference:

enhanced my understanding of sustainable agriculture: yes no don’t know

167 24 5

80.3% 11.8% 2.5%

provided me with information or contacts I will use in my job: yes no don’t know

199 2 4

95.7% 1.0% 2.0%

will help me promote sustainable agriculture to others: yes no don’t know

183 7 14

88.0% 3.5% 6.9%

gave me new ideas about sustainable agriculture practices: yes no don’t know

182 19 3

87.5% 9.4% 1.5%

made me aware of a new source of useful information: yes no don’t know

194 7 3

93.3% 3.5% 1.5%

increased my knowledge of SARE programs and projects: yes no don’t know

175 20 9

84.1% 9.9% 4.4%

Will this conference lead you to do something new or different in the coming year?

yes no don’t know

137 12 25

65.9% 5.9% 12.0%

If yes, please describe.

What participants described they will do new or different
Pursue follow up to SARE project with farmers in another state
Explore increased use of electronic communication, agriculture tourism training for farmers
Improve my advocacy for change; because I have increased details as examples
Use vinegar as herbicide
not stress about moving all our fields, may rent out unused cooler space
Become more Market-oriented
Helped me think about ways to present information on sustainable agriculture topics.
Organic growth statistics, will share with administration and colleagues
We have a certified bio dynamic farm, it will inspire me to refine practices and record changes, especially refine vegetable growing practices, grazing practices and compost management
Several speakers will be invited, farm tour structure to be used/modified, poster sessions at some of our meetings.
more grant/ farm production ideas inspired
smoking bees with black walnut, no till covers
Lunch a little uninspiring
Help growers assess more and different marketing options, Develop articles that communicate with non-farm public.
May work with national campaign for Sus. Ag. To educate congress.
Pursue alternative approaches on our farm.
Enriched contacts for: good system organizing and for the growth of NYSAWG
Website design for local farmers markets and local farms, Promote organic and sustainable farming more to the community.
Make Decisions about the future use of our farm. Share information/ encourage sustainable practices and participation in SARE programs among extension audience.
Design projects for pastured swine and marketing of products.
1. Plug into a mentoring initiative that I learned about in follow up conversation with a workshop presenter. That connection should benefit my core audience. 2. Share information I gathered here than newsletters/ website 3. Make different/ better referrals.
farmland trust, contacts
continue trying to figure out how to reduce tillage and improve our soils
Ability to refer non-formal … based educators to new resources.
Connect with folks from other regions who are also working on the marketing/ strategy/ business viability level
Policy: local food, healthy food.
more no till, different grazing patterns, CSA ideas
(hopefully) write and speak more clearly about food issues to non-farm audiences.
Promote SARE more
Experience more with no till zone, until veggie production
will work harder to ID local farmers to include in school nutritional efforts
New research ideas/extension information to convey to farmers.
Possibly
Cover cropping, food to school, maple sugaring, Marketing
Try to work with some of the people I met or talk with at the conference
soil monitoring
Increase restaurant marketing at my CSA
1. Begin grass based beef on small scale 2. explore value added cranberry products
Change some of my practice to no till, soil health management
Possibly lead to new research with consumers. Ideas still percolating
CSA round table, farm and farmer roundtables and chef and farmer connections
Have more pride in my work and expand my small fruit/value added operation
I have met new people that I can call on for help in the near future
Developing a presentation to food service and dining directors about the importance of buying from local farmers
do a better job of cover crops
I will definitely benefit from some contacts with other organizations as well as the sense of community here that serves to energize my independent work
Move from NGO to the farm
Garlic tastings (from talking with a poster presenter). Introducing myself to the new "local news" written at our town newspaper and pitching stories; pitching a follow-up story to the former written who has moved on to the bigger regional paper (in other words, not losing contact with him)
collecting infor from other farmers for CSA start-up
Encouraging additional participation in SARE programs in my home state
better able to communicate the science of sustainability
electric traction
increased effort to communicate farming stories
Share info. Gained on organic parasite control for livestock/ Increase our ranch gate price for carcass grass-fed beef
Probably- it has been very good to gain access to new ideas and people who have tried diverse projects
Work to increase awareness of farmers market food stamp program, an under-utilized program. Also, I will try to spread message about importance of using media, esp. press releases, to tell farm stories.
Bring new workshops to my clients, invite SARE Farmers Educator to our area, create new business tools for farmers
Our marketing focus to become more fine-tuned…. To dare to dream up new and creative products. We plan to become more well-tuned in our use in cover crops. New marketing techniques.
Write farmers stories with more attention to human story and less emphasis on sustainable practices to make issues more digestible and less threatening
Simply provided me with a community and a network such that I could do what I dreamed of and planned on
A sustainable ag. Conference in Canada
Generated new ideas and contacts. Marketing and promotion of local foodsheds.
Less till-more mulching
Thinking about the larger picture
work with enthusiasm
Closer contacts with colleagues- more ongoing learning and collaboration with them. / Implement more participatory techniques./ Explore farmer led research possibilities(from tues. evening panel)
Buy more locally produced products
Helped plan some future workshops and possible grant collaboration
My next year heavily programmed- I will do some of these differently and I think better due to the conference- it was very relevant to my current work
Will try to put together a program on internet marketing for producers
More contacts to make between NOFA and SARE researchers and farmers
Pursue freelance Ag. Related writing
improving and conserving my soil
Perhaps develop a research plan to study cultivation effects on soil quality
More education regarding food issues and sustainability for CSA members and explore added value products for CSA
more rotational grazing
but we will write several articles about it
I will concentrate on getting some sustainable ag. Stories in consumer/mainstream publications
will pass a lot of gathered information along
Good info. On tillage practices/philosophy to share with growers
New understanding of IPM- better planning of research
It will help me develop different programs in the upcoming year- i.e. cover crop rotations
Hopefully a marketing cooperative (?) for small farms in the area
New corn varieties
More ideas, resources, and info. To pass along to other farmers in my work
More farm tourism work
Integrating organic production techniques into conventional production systems
Use contacts/ made
I will use/encourage wood chip mulch for weed control over the weed mat
get more people involved
the group I came with has decided to meet and discuss our statewide effort for sustainable agriculture. We need to focus on this as part of our education program.
better program planning for youth
try looking for project to link forestry and agro
I need to spend some time absorbing the info before I can describe.
new crop rotation
I'm working towards achieving my goal/dream of having my own farm
networking with other states - sharing info
discover more about Canada's sustainable ag effort,
I had planned on going on to get my PHD, but I feel like there are a lot more options - a lot more ways to support sustainable local agriculture
tillage topics
ideas and strategies for promotions. Media outlets - marking connections, engaging consumers
info to disseminate on farm to school. New idea for farmers markets
my intention is to start an organic cut flower and vegetable farm. The information I received at this conference has given me the resources I need to help make this happen
may start rotationally grazing my goats. May start getting active in farm to school food programs
I love new info to use in my extension marketing program in KY. I have new perspectives to help me promote SA among extension workers in the southern region
organization of similar conference in Canada in 2005
gave me more substance to my ability to advocate for SA
buy most everything local - try new ways of marketing
be more aware of local food
I am sure I will use the contacts and other info I obtained here quite a bit, likely in a back of the mind way - writing, discussions, etc
the communications track gave me good ideas to bring back to my organization
gave me a reservation
in reviewing proposals, I feel better educated on SA topics, which will benefit the review process
expand collaboration
cropping systems – marketing
work with folks who want to produce value added on farm cheese making
I am now more likely to pursue SARE education grant funds, and I am more likely to change more of my consumer habits
made excellent connections with others. Will help my writing skills and improve my ability to serve others as an information specialist
reduced tillage, increased cover cropping, biodiesel
promote more local purchasing of produce and the reasons this supports SA
initiate specific new activities on our farmer-centered website.
I was inspired by the marketing component of the farm business and am excited to help farmers achieve that
farmer research meeting made me realize the importance of organizing farmers into groups rather than working solely with individuals
contact some people in my home town who are interested in farm to school. Inspired me to learn some soil management concepts more thoroughly
low till farming,
different approach to my clients about sustainability, viability of. Look for new job!
Evaluate more extension programs for the use of sustainable practices. Assist extension specialists and educator who are working in sustainable agriculture to measure the impact of their programs and to measure future needs of their clients.
Work hard as member local, informal ag. Discussion group and of formal community development corp. to promote sustainable ag. And discussions of current status of local ag. Etc.
Farmer education programs/content resources
Wait until soil is adequately moist before I no-till my organic corn/soy
Potential new field management technique via communications with farmers and their grant research + poster displays
promote sustainability more
Be more aware of organic farming which goes beyond IPM

The most useful session I attended was:

Most Useful Workshop
Illegible	8	3.85%
All	13	6.25%
Posters	5	2.40%
S1T1 Marketing and Added Value	3	1.44%
S1T2 Low Tillage and Cover Crops	13	6.25%
S1T3 Techniques for Farmland Conservation	5	2.40%
S1T4 Conveying the Economic Importance of Agriculture	10	4.81%
S1T5 New Directions in Beef Production and Marketing	3	1.44%
S2T1 Consumers and their Trends	11	5.29%
S2T2 Nutrient Cycles and Farm Management	1	0.48%
S2T3 Connecting Farms and Schools	5	2.40%
S2T4 Agricultural Journalism	5	2.40%
S2T5 Growing and Selling Apples and Strawberries	2	0.96%
S3T1 Marketing Close to Home	8	3.85%
S3T2 New Directions an Managed Grazing	2	0.96%
S3T3 Policy and Politics	4	1.92%
S3T4 Crafting a Story for Non-farm Audiences	4	1.92%
S3T5 Vegetables and Cover Crops	2	0.96%
S4T1 Laboring for Quality	4	1.92%
S4T2 A Systems Approach to IPM	4	1.92%
S4T3 Strategies for Institutional Purchasing	2	0.96%
S4T4 Marketing on the World Wide Web	4	1.92%
S4T5 Pick-Your-Own Agritourism	8	3.85%
S5T2 Soil Health Management	3	1.44%
S5T3 Working to change our Food System	3	1.44%
S5T5 Adding Value on Dairy Farms	5	2.40%

Why was it useful?

Most useful workshop and why
All sessions	all great presenters, wide variety of topics
All	All sessions were interesting but pinpointing one is hard
S1T1	all sessions were useful and uplifting: Marketing and adding value (Track 1- Wed.)
All	all were very helpful, could not rate
	Everything was really basic. Only a few lightbulbs went off. Discussion time helped, good q and a in many.
S3T4	Farmers Table: Crafting story for non-farm Audience
	Farming Coop.
	Grazing
	grazing information in rotating grazing, Chef harvest--cook for grass-feed beef
S1T2	Jean Paul and Harold van Es, Cover Crops
S3T1	Local Talents: managing close to home
S1T2	low tillage workshops (track two)
	Marketing ideas and sustainable production were excellent. Food for thought.
All	Most…They were all useful
S3T3	National Policy for food distribution Session 3.
	Session/ Track 1
	Soils
S5T2	Steve Groff
S1T4	Stew Smith--how to communicate the data that's needed to influence policy--great questions from the audience -- correct level of advanced info for this audience
	various food policy workshops
S1T1	Relates to our farm
S4T2	Systems research discussion and big picture for IPM gave me a new perspective
	great ideas
S5T5	Application with Dairy Farmers
S2T4	they were practical and inspiring
S2T4	Because it caused me to think about all the different "human story" angles. Also ideas from the Food Trust's presentation to use with our NGO farm.
S4T5	Answered real logistical questions as well as provided inspiration
S4T5	I'm working on an agritourism feasibility study
S4T5	It was very concise, clear examples of what others have done that have been unique
All	Relevant and well delivered info. With nice people
S2T5	Good tips and practical advice for farmers
S3T2	Because we have 30 acres of hay and want to options for those fields when I can't stuck hay bales anymore!
S2T1	Need to look to future and stay on top of important trends.
S5T5	Excellent summary
S3T4,S4T5	New ideas, value added products, etc. (Wads) of caution, helpful hints, etc.
?	it teaches me more on how to restore and conserve my soil
S2T1	Follow the money - the fact that we do communicate on mixed message when touting the value of agriculture + then crying the demise of the sector - economies of scale vs. economies of scope
S2T1	specific info will convince audiences of the opportunities to market sustainably produced foods
S3T4	It encourage me to do something that's been on my mind for a long time
S5T2	Context for what walking on
S1T4	important to analyze the business of farming as well as the science
Posters	find information that is available
S2T3	excellent experience from 3 angles was communicated
S2T3	these sessions gave me new ideas on how to address the challenges of getting local food into school feeding systems
	Hands-on being on farm with farmers. Most excellent experience and cheese was superb.
S5T5	had some specific questions answered
S1T3	Learning about some of the barriers and opportunities to saving farms and farmland.
S1T3	it was a subject I didn't know much about and it is key to saving American agriculture
S1T4	" Improved ability to articulate value of farming to decision makersI
S1T4	All intersected in some interesting big picture, consumer trends
S1T4	Economic importance of Ag./ It opened my eyes to the diversion between the "sustainable ag." people and regular farms. To me, a 200 cow dairy in my area is still "local" agriculture. Apparently, in the "big picture" the only ag. That matters is "sustainable”
S1T4	Laid out some good solid stats on types of farmers/farms/agriculture
S1T4	Learned how to communicate with media. Sell our story.
S3T5	more aware of folks working in my area
S3T2	Brought up controversial issues with conventional, organic and sustainable farming. As well as consumerism in farming! Great points made by Bill!
S3T5	Mr. Ayers provided a producer view of zone tillage, in which he expressed useful pro's and con's of the system and problems he has experienced in his transition
	Jansen;" AT a premium" or "The Big League". All good presentations about innovative multifarm efforts that are working.
S1T2	Favorite for packed with info. Useful for teaching programs in future. Agritourism on themes overall most enjoyable- funny, real.
S1T3	Gave me valuable info. Regarding farmland protection options gave me a much broader perspective of food issues
S1T5	grazing and processing
S1T5	Large and small scale marketing production both well decribed
?	I am president of a land trust
	Health: Research on organic vs. conventional, links between sustainable ag., ethics and health
S4T3	Good to hear farmer stories and innovations
S4T4	made me re-think my product marketing strategy
S4T4	Will definitely start and website and internet marketing/education.
S1T3	Concrete info. On state and local issues to act upon
S4T1	Creative ideas for product development and potential
S4T1	Sparked new ideas to share with others. Loved philosophy of processing center- Headwater Farms
S4T5	ideas for marketing, strategies for pricing
S1T2	gave me a lot of new ideas
S1T2	Having both research and farmer presenting
S2T3	great ideas in legislature, approaches this has been my pet project for years
S3T1	Tips on restaurant marketing
S3T1	Very well organized presentation on blueprints for how to set up a campaign
S2T3,S5T3	because it was mostly new to me, outside of the regular issues and subjects I work with
S2T1	helpful in marketing, markets and future potential markets
S3T1	"how-tos"
?	terrific information in the entire Marketing Section
S3T1	approaching chefs info will be very helpful in '05
S1T1	addressed cheese-making
S5T5	Insight into challenges of cooperative marketing
S4T4	How to set up a website. Do's and don’t's + good resources
S4T5	Real information from people with experience
S4T5	The synergy of the two speakers made a light bulb go off in my head. It's a matter of knowing and using your unique interests and your particular place to make "a go" of my farming interests
S3T3	good summaries
S3T3	Inspirational, Because this is where my networking skills are most useful and hope to both help grass roots organizing with small scale food processors and NVSAWG policy--partner building
Posters	could read info and discuss
S1T2	Mostly great social event for us and learning at discussions with folks
S5T2	Down in the Dirt Soil health
S1T4	Gave me ideas for how to communicate importance of buying local
S1T2	Very good review of tillage and impacts on soil, and have farmer address it
S1T2	Provocative and well lead to deeper educational programs on the subject
S1T4	it was based on facts
?	To understand the importance about the concept of sustainability
S4T2	very efficient subject - good to hear bright people struggling with how to understand and work with living systems
S3T3,S2T4	Specific examples I can imitate. Well explained overriding forces that control the policies/press
S5T3	concrete examples of imitating programs
S5T3	New information that I can use or think about
S2T4	gave insight to "other side" of the process
S2T4	The conversation turned to the larger crisis and how to help toward its resolution in our daily reporting/writing/communicating
S2T1	hard to find information given in a good way. The trends can really shape agricultural endeavors in the future.
S2T1	the statistics helped me realize who my consumers would be
	Real life
All	it was inspiring for me to hear from farmers who aren't afraid to change
S1T2	Good information on a topic I'm considering changes in. Track 5/Session 4: also great, expanding my daydreams on agrotourism.

Topics I would like to see on future sustainable agriculture conference programs:

Future Topics Condensed
Agritourism	1	0.48%
Agroforestry	2	0.96%
alt energy	2	0.96%
Aquaculture	1	0.48%
Bees	1	0.48%
biodynamics	2	0.96%
business plans	1	0.48%
community programs	2	0.96%
compost tea	1	0.48%
connect agencies and farmers	1	0.48%
conventional vs organic	3	1.44%
Coops	1	0.48%
dialogue between commercial and farm families	1	0.48%
Educational programs on farms	2	0.96%
European innovations	1	0.48%
evening focus groups	1	0.48%
farmers market	1	0.48%
Financing	1	0.48%
grower education programs	1	0.48%
international programs	1	0.48%
internet marketing	2	0.96%
labor issues	1	0.48%
large farm examples	1	0.48%
less organic	2	0.96%
Livestock	1	0.48%
livestock processing	2	0.96%
local vs global	1	0.48%
measurements of success	1	0.48%
merge conventional and organic	1	0.48%
misconceptions	1	0.48%
more organic	2	0.96%
multi agency cooperation	2	0.96%
niche markets	1	0.48%
Nutrition	1	0.48%
organic landscaping	1	0.48%
Pest	3	1.44%
pigs and poultry	3	1.44%
Poultry	1	0.48%
Pricing	1	0.48%
public health	4	1.92%
public policy	4	1.92%
reducing medicinal use on livestock	1	0.48%
SAE grant topics	1	0.48%
school food	2	0.96%
small fruit	1	0.48%
Soil	1	0.48%
start-up	2	0.96%
sust horticulture	1	0.48%
transition to conventional	1	0.48%
transition to organic	1	0.48%
urban agr	3	1.44%
water pollution	1	0.48%
weed mgmt	1	0.48%
winter CSA	1	0.48%
Youth	2	0.96%

Future Topics – Comments as written
Intergovernment cooperation and multi agency partnerships, Multi disciplinary programs
Lets talk about difference between organic and "sustainable"--we all dance around it like some big misconceptions are occurring
Creative financing. There is a need, it is not addressed.
cross region partnering
More farm visits.
Engaging youth, developing internship networks, CSA's on non-organic farms
you are doing great
more organic, less herbicide usage models
more marketing and public communication
Synergy and Down in Dirt--improving soil in my farm, for reviewing grants
Move of internet marketing
Continue this process: only SARE conference attended since fine 10th Anniversary in Austin. We have to work, not necessarily USDA!
Effect of compost tea
More on swine and poultry research on pasture.
merging convention and organic practices? (topic), bringing more conventional growers to conference -- to meet with organic grows via topics.
Pricing of farm products, fair contracts between farmers and buyers, conditions for farm workers in NE
Strategies used to address community-based food systems issues by enlarging citizen participation processes to impact public policy.
creative ways to keep projects going when the funding is over, measurement techniques for success (program eval. Stuff)
Examples of extension programs to educate farmers to grow / sell.
Politics of food
Sustainable Pest Management
urban agriculture, urban youth
Strategies to raise ruminant livestock organically.
water pollution as a result of sustainable and not sustainable practices
Getting started in farming appropriate technology--small scale
community development as a strategy for increasing agriculture and food system sustainably. Fair trade for domestic producers
why the "standard" farmer does not deploy more sustainable practices
More of the same
On farm research
More efforts to create dialogue between commercial and farm families
evening focus group for networking
Having EPA, researchers, etc. meet with farmers to get that connection and understanding (vise-versa). There is too much disconnect between the two. Sometimes at these meetings, farmers hang out with farmers, and so on and so on. I want to credit you with giving enough time in between and around sessions to have hallway talk and interaction
Nutritional implications of sustainable Ag.vs. conventional industrial
More small Ruminant info with grazing
actual templates useful for farmers' market management
working with urban planners/city officials to support fringe farms. Maybe a nuts and bolts session on trying value added product and what it takes (sample start-up costs). Connect nutrients and health professionals with local healthy eating programs with local farms
more technical approach to animal agriculture
Great conference, well organized, enjoyable and informative
move alternative energy on the farm
continue communications
More topics of interest to main stream farms, less "organic" topics
Livestock processing for small scale operations and models of on-farm slaughter and its regulations
Energy efficiency of growing crops not "suited" to area vs. transporting items in. Food safety regulations for farmstead, ag. Tourism businesses (jams, dinners, etc.)
Importance of sustainable produce to forest products/agroforestry. Working with local governments on mobilizing public health support as an Ag. System issue
Creating educational/Apprentice programs for our farms. Working with school groups and local…. Community groups. It might be neat to have a session that would address how to write a SARE grant.
Topics revolving around more conventional agriculture. Organic farming had a very strong influence in this conference, but is not the only aspect of sustainable ag. Please maintain the diversity of ideas in the future.
Inferral (advantages) of all the great issues and how they tie to ag. Crisis
Onsite educational Curriculum programs
Winter crops/vegetables, growing and storing and CSA's
Labor- difficulty of finding local people willing to do hand labor on farms and the resulting importation of third world labor. What are the ramifications over the long term.
Some big picture local vs. global
How to influence policy- at the local level at the state or Federal levels. Examples of successful steps.
Develop a relationship with healthcare/public health systems-educate both ways. Help healthcare industry connect with the health and healing aspects of local, sustainable food systems.
Coop model and economics/ planning commissions and Ag. Land in rural communities. How to energize disinterested towns people
Experimental design "how-to"
More on international programs that are working, that have (limits) for us. More advanced topics
Reaching conventional farmers
More on small organic farms and value added products
More of the same
Roundtable discussions between organic/conventional. Some tension in the Q and A sessions I was at. More organic research.
All topics that SARE grants fund
More on communication
Organic lawns and landscaping (or other environmentally friendly)
Niche markets to ethnic/minority markets
bee keeping
Research/marketing/production innovations from Europe
Globalization and food, reaching a fair wage for CSA farmers
How all of Ag. Can work together/local Ag., production Ag., sustainable Ag. Need voice
Continue having tracks for communication
Very little on pest management
More youth interaction- kids sharing with kids- less presentation, more discussion style
Marketing at farmers market
more farm tourism
Integrating organic production techniques into conventional prodution systems
Poultry (layers and broilers), humane livestock practices, labor practices/relations
more integration of Ag policy and production
step by step ways of breaking down "old school" mentality around food purchasing
More information on integrated pest management. Realistic discussion about the economics of sustainable agriculture and how it might be improved - fair price to American farmers
topics related to agroforestry
sustainable ornamental horticulture
large farm sustainable examples; various waste compost work whole systems approach
Biodynamics
starting a farm - acquiring land, making my dream a reality. Sustainable practices
more farm to school or farm to institution + education programs based in sustainable agriculture (K-12)
rural-urban connections - extending the values that guide sustainable agriculture to a wider world-view
animal agriculture
transition from conventional to organic ag
farm business plans 101, farm accounting
Discussion of the umbrella of SA
reducing medicinal use on livestock farms
thought there was a policy track, wish there could have been a way to get more legislators to attend
pig or chicken projects
more animal operations - poultry and swine, cover environmental issues a bit more in depth.
on-farm slaughtering processing of livestock
more livestock info - animal health grazing, marketing
aquaculture, animal-wildlife interactions, how to make SA the way things ought to be at the public level
public health and nutrition
value added farm processing
small fruit organic techniques / heirlooms
agriculture as a means of therapy
biological control - soil management, organic fruit and compost teas
farmer stories about the impact of SARE research projects or information to their farms
more advanced internet/web marketing. Producing print materials - brochures, biz cards, etc
Talks by: chef-farm people, PIG (pastured) people, New product people
Human nutrition/health implications
The changing structure and demographics or agriculture, and the impact on the sustainability of agriculture in the northeast.
Energy use/production, Hemp?
Weed management in organic no-till
Lifestyle - health from food and exercise

Other comments or suggestions:

General Comment Breakdown
Add communication board	1	0.48%
Add open market	1	0.48%
All around good	22	10.58%
Conference map, more posters	1	0.48%
Directory of participants	1	0.48%
Directory of presenters	2	0.96%
discussion – need more	2	0.96%
food - needs improvement	2	0.96%
Food good	10	4.81%
handouts – need more	4	1.92%
handouts - needs improvement	2	0.96%
More coffee	1	0.48%
More water	1	0.48%
nametags - needs improvement	5	2.40%
Participant directory	1	0.48%
Posters good	4	1.92%
posters- needs improvement	2	0.96%
registration - needs improvement	2	0.96%
Repeated cost-share	1	0.48%
SARE presentations – need more	1	0.48%
Shorter breaks	1	0.48%
speakers - needs improvement	8	3.85%
Too cold	2	0.96%
topics - needs improvement	2	0.96%
tour - needs improvement	6	2.88%
Tour good	1	0.48%
Tours– need more	1	0.48%
workshops - needs improvement	5	2.40%
Workshops good	1	0.48%

Other Comments – as written
Nicely Organized, Use of local foods was a nice touch
Until the great dinner Wed. night, the food was super. Granola for breakfast and soy creamers/milk would be nice
Great effort to feature so many local products on the dinner/lunch menus. Good variety of workshop sessions.
Best farm conference I have been to.
Longer breaks; fewer people on tours
supply summaries of presentations/ summary/ fact sheets in order for farmers to attend consider the conference date late fall works well for farmers to attend.
Green on green was awful, the Arnolds have a lot more than 6 acres so had few suggestions for the farmers George Ayers is not sustainable, the amount of roundup and other chemicals he reported spraying was appalling.
I was disappointed in the Steve Gorelick "Local food, Global Prosperity" presentation. It showed a very limited perspective and poor conclusions.
Compost tour was not well planned in terms of time and tour leader was less than stellar speaker. Either use portable mikes or make arrangements to talk where 5 or 6 people closest to the speaker can hear.
1. conference map would be more helpful if conference center names for rooms was used along with session topics. 2. Could have used more posters overall.
Rooms were too cold left 1st session. Chilled, air conditioning not needed.
Great conference. Great topics. Learned for the various exhibitors.
Great variety of topics, excellent speakers
Would like to have additional farm tours.
I wish there were more opportunities for discussion--the workshops were a lot of listening to presenters, and looking at the back of peoples heads, and even to though there was q and a, more opportunities to hear from each other would have been nice.
sustainable greenhouse operations (topic), nursery production (producing a sustainable crop)
Name tags on string and not clip, better for women, List of conference participants--alpha order
Cedar Mountain Farm is great and could do a lot better--draft horses and small dairy.
Arguing with a panel (Ag. Journalism) about "large farms" and small farms is not productive or polite. Moderation should maintain control of vocal audience H-2
Excellent
1. Invite graduate students who have received SARE grad. Grants to present research via posters 2. Turn up the heat.
I think this conference is amazing for providing topics of interest for such a broad spectrum of people
The food was great! I would attend another conference for more than 1 day!
Coffee needs to be available throughout the day.
Presenters should offer 1-2 pages of summary sheets so you don’t have to take so many notes, you could sit back an listen. 2. The compost tour was informative but getting back to the hotel 40 minutes late caused a real dinners problem. I was chilly and wished there had been handouts at the bus or Intervale and Foster because I couldn’t take notes well while walking. Equipment that was running made it very hard to hear also. 3. Steve Gorelick made the most boring presentation possible by reading his text. I present workshops for school groups, sometimes 3 groups in succession and I use no notes and every presentation is different. He didn’t inspire or excite me at all. 4. The following were interesting and helpful: Session 1. Beef- Nick Maravel was excellent, Session 3 Bill Murphy was fantastic- so thankful I met him before he retired, Session 4 Chefham gave me some new ideas about value added for my cranberries, Session 5 Gloria Varney Mezinsect and Kate Larson Redtomato, great present with great ideas.
The compost bus tour guide did not do a good job. We got off the bus and then the farmer of tour guide talked to us over the bus engine, so we as farmers with damaged ear drums couldn’t hear. It would have been better for the farmer to come on the bus and talk to us with the bus microphone so we could hear how many acres they farmed, etc. The tour guide did not watch the time, was not punctual and got us back late. The first speaker could have sad what he said in less time and got us back on time. The tour guide new the subject bud was a very poor guide.
Nice length for breaks and poster visiting. The workshops didn't increase knowledge of SARE, but the posters were very helpful
Please have bottled water available throughout conference
The challenge is to reduce what I would call incestuousness of our field. I have been to several conferences with the same topics. Perhaps more controversial topics would stimulate more debate
Very helpful to hear the story of Norm Greg's financial difficulties and his farming life in the following years. I'm thankful for standing up and telling that part of the story. There is life after what we consider death. Fabulous food. Super job of serving local food. Truly great job of conference organizing. Thank you!
Great food! Sheraton staff was helpful, but hotel registration was a pain in the butt
Great conference with a great mix of participants
Food was wonderful! A big thanks. It was nice mixing with all the people in the Ag. Industry.
The first opening speaker was too opinionated about organics and turned some first time folks off
I really liked Next time, have a question on the evaluating sheet asking about the facilities, because I thought they were great. An amazing display of poster presentations. Overall one of the best organized conferences I've been to in a long time! Thanks so much! Great food! Russell Libby was a great speaker
More on marketing, not CSA, not cattle
socialistic comments not appreciated
Thank you! High level of knowledge and commitment. Did not attend communication. Could present some of my own experiences helping farmers "tell their story". Don't need the press
good to talk with folks who are interested in things other than where they do their shopping
names on name tags must be much larger
Small Ruminant tour was only so-so. Surprised that first farm seemed unprepared to present and give prepared talk. Also, both farms relatively new to biz.
Sustainability is important to all farms
I would like to see handouts of speaker's presentations at the session, or, put into a proceedings/ Great job planning committee!! Very Organized
I appreciate the speakers who offer concrete examples of economically practical sustainable agriculture
I am really pleased local food was served, but would like milk. Ify- Ag. Econ "Big Picture" (not really what was advertised, seemed disorganized and not transferrable. Also ify, Ag. Journalism panel discussion-great idea but disorganized and not on task-turned into debate of small vs. big farms. Woman from Cornell seemed bitter and not helpful
Too many breaks, could have been put in another break-out session. Great resources. I would have liked an abstract of each presentation included in the conference packet so I can learn more about the ones I couldn't get to. A list of participants and contact info. Would be another nice inclusion in the packet. Some outdoor things on the two full days. I didn't go outside for 2 days.
Nice use of local food!! Bravo! Neat idea- A chef or local food service person's point of view of connecting with local farms
Please refrain from political agendas during this very important conference. Professionalism relies on our presentation of facts-not political beliefs. In the presentation "local food, global prosperity," Mr. Gorelich expressed his political views of foreign policy and the upcoming presidential election. These themes repeated in two of the sessions I attended. These needless comments were unprofessional and a misuse of taxpayer money. Our goal is promotion of sustainable agriculture; lets to our goals, not personal agendas
I wish some of the presentations were more interactive and less presentative such that we farmers could go home with more tangible skills and plans to recraft our personal endeavors
Make copies of presentation notes available
Keep the communications track! Keep the balance of sharing "failure" stories as well as successes
Great food (except the coffee) well organized, good keynote speakers
The best conference food I've ever had. Very, Very well run and put together
Great conference! Great (presenters) Russell Libby and Bill McKibbon! Food was good, although vegetarian dishes could have been a little bit more creative. Also, a little more low-fat food (skim milk etc.) would have been nice
Best part of the conference for me was networking and reconnecting with old friends and colleagues. Got excellent ideas for workshops and other programs and initiatives. The format is important. The workshops were too much talking heads. We need to emphasize process more- how we convey and consider information in a collective, deliberate way. The active engagement with learning and knowledge is an equally important of the sustainable agriculture process. So let's demonstrate and experience models of this. One of the keys for transitioning farmers and for supporting the next generation of people producing their livelihood on the land is for people to become better able to question and take part in learning communities.
Would be helpful to have a location map for the posters, so one could find them after hearing about them in meetings
Thanks- lets have an annual SARE conference- smaller (local) scale- similarly organized (vertical) integration
Would be nice to be able to get copies of powerpoint presentations
Outreach to more minority/poor communities/farmers/advocates to see more people of color represented at the conference. It was great to see lots of women as panelists, etc. but it would be nice to have more role models
The workshop descriptions should be more complete- the info. Presenter didn't always reflect the content of the workshop sessions and because there were so many choices, it was difficult to choose which workshop to attend based on the descriptions provided.
Food was excellent- promoting local is great. Make honey available as opposed to refined sugar. Most exciting food at any conference we've attended
The comments from within the audience of the communications sessions were thought provoking. Perhaps at future conferences we can have more time for communicator to share the story success and failures
Less organic speakers bashing small farmers who are trying to stay in business. Don't hold up programs for late people
What is the focus? Is this a collaboration or education, or both? What? Is it for farm folk, educators?
Larger names on name tags! Offer repeat tours so can attend more than one!
Posters set up in the hall was inconvenient: poor traffic flow, difficult to get to them. Temperature in meeting rooms fluctuated wildly, very cold to hot. Great food. Many of the talks seemed to be repeats of presentations of the last conference, both speakers and subjects.
Wonderful conference- flowed well, Great Food, Thank you!
Thank you- well organized, realize this is more targeted to NE region as it should be (note: realize this is difficult given the size of audience)
Location was good, excellent food
Food great- thanks for supporting farmers- go for 100%! Wonderful diverse conference- 1st week of Nov. would be easier for farmers
Overall, very good, especially important was the opportunity to exchange info. and ideas with others
encourage participants to attend sessions outside their area of expertise
speaker handouts would be nice
No need to provide tourist brochure with registration as you can get them at the hotels. This is unnecessary work for the meeting hosts. - Place to recycle paper is desirable.
food was fabulous! And excellent organization too. What a great bunch of people.
the speaker Tuesday night on local food was terrible, don't use him again
you can have shorter breaks between sessions. 15 minutes is fine
cheese tour was lots of fun and informative. It was great to see people who are successful
larger more visible nametags
some presentations were a bit light-weight for this crowd
great food/great selections. Good ratio of sessions and breaks
session length was excellent, as well as individual length. Everything was well organized
long breaks are great. Make nametags much bigger
I never usually fill out these feedback forms but feel compelled to submit on this one to complain about the pitiful food selection for the meals. The Tuesday box lunch included junk food (potato chips and maple candy) and bottled water - what could be less sustainable.
repeated cost share for attending conference
would like an open market place for vendors to sell products
handouts on sessions should be placed at back of the room, available to all
there was a lot of emphasis on practices. We need more topics and participation by labor, community food security. Attract more diverse participants.
thank you - the programs and services were top-shelf. Congratulations on bringing people together.
too much philosophy and opinions, not enough research-based information. Conference was too slanted towards organic. Sustainable is a big tent that should include different ideas and philosophies.
continue poster sessions!
central board for communication would be nice, place to put stacks of business cards
not enough time allowed to get to VT natural Ag. Needed cookies in the lunch, particularly on a cold day. Several requests to stop at duncan doughnuts. Sustainable conference should have food buckets for food waste
temperature and lighting in session rooms was at times poorly adjusted
thank you
nicely organized. It was nice to have lots of breaks where we could engage with others.
Need to make the main speakers better. Loved the bell between sessions, very helpful. Food excellent throughout. Van to Clarion- hours needed extension.
Thanks SO much for scheduling ample time for poster reading and informal networking/ this is at least as valuable overall as the session inputs. Keep up the good work!
It would be useful to have a list and directory of poster presentations.
Greenbelts and urban dreams--small farms on the fringe
Thanks very much.
Thank you folks very much for your kind and generous support which allowed us to attend this conference. You folks obviously worked very hard to pull the whole thig off. We go home today with a wealth of new information…We go home excited to move forward and continue to grow! Thank you very much for the scholarship to attend and join you all!
Well organized, the sessions I attended were very informative. Thanks. I will definitely recommend the 2006 conference to others
Valuable opportunity to make contacts, Poster presentations help to see so many ideas and meet the people + players
It would be helpful to have a list of the poster presenters topics and locations - as a poster presenter I did not feel I had time to visit or find all the presentations I would have liked to see
A directory or list of all attendees would be so helpful to follow up on questions and networking, also a specific time to view the posters and talk to exhibitors such as 2hr in an evening or morning