keynote

Transforming the heart of agriculture means transforming our human relationships. How can biodynamic, traditional, and Indigenous farmers and land stewards connect and learn from one another? What steps can we take to build equity, inclusion, and true community in North American agriculture? Orland Bishop, Jim Embry, and Rowen White will share perspectives on these important questions and engage in thought-provoking dialogue with one another and conference participants.

Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming that brings renewed health and vitality to soil, plants, animals, and people. With vibrant visuals and specific examples, three biodynamic farmers will share stories of how they are incorporating regenerative principles and practices to create biodiverse and self-sustaining farm individualities.

Biodynamics is transforming the heart of agriculture on every continent and in every climate. Ueli Hurter will bring highlights of biodynamic initiatives from around the world, and Narendra Varma will ground us in Portland by sharing the agricultural, social, and economic transformation happening at Our Table Cooperative.

What does regeneration look like on the levels of soil, food, culture and economy and what are the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming decades realizing this potential? Hear a biodynamic practitioner, an indigenous chef and farmer, and a leader in socially responsible investment share perspectives on these questions and engage in a lively conversation about the future of regenerative and biodynamic agriculture.

Stories of sustainable development, biodynamic and regenerative farming, gardening and ranching, and community engagement from New Mexico, New York, Tanzania, Uganda, and across Latin America.

An exploration of how we can experience Earth as a living being and work with the dynamic consciousness of the living Earth to address climate change.

Three successful farmers share how they build water resilience and grow fruit and fiber within diversified, living farm organisms.

Photo credit: Sally Fox

What does it mean to view our farms as living biodiverse organisms? How can we manage our farms using this lens? Jim Barausky will introduce the concept of the farm individuality, and then four biodynamic growers will take us on a slideshow tour of their farms, sharing some of the diverse ways that a farm organism can be co-created with nature.