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Top national and state officials, policymakers, farmers and agricultural industry representatives will share successful approaches for developing profitable, resource-conserving farming systems during a two-day conference in Northern California, March 27-28. 

"This conference will highlight innovations in agricultural production, research and extension, featuring farmer groups and leaders implementing 'win-win' practices that are profitable as well as environmentally friendly," says Sean L. Swezey, director of the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP), a co-sponsor. 

Paul Dolan, president of Fetzer Vineyards, will be the first day's keynote speaker at "Partnerships for Sustaining California Agriculture: Profit, Environment, and Community." Dolan, the winemaster at Fetzer since 1977, has taken the model of "team winemaking" and adapted it to all aspects of the company. John Ikerd, professor emeritus from University of Missouri, long known for his work on the social and economic aspects of sustainable agriculture, will be the keynote speaker on the second day. 

Other speakers include:

• Bill Lyons, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture

• Neal Van Alfen, dean of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

• Craig McNamara, president of Sierra Orchards and director of the FARMS leadership program

• Bryce Lundberg, Lundberg Family Farms

• Dan Benedetti, president of Clover Stornetta Farms

• John Marthedal, chair of Sun-Maid Growers

"We're convening multiple stakeholders from the ag community," says Karen Ross, president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, a conference co-sponsor. "Our goal at the conference is to come up with an action agenda to increase the adoption of biologically integrated farming practices. The farmers and other speakers presenting results of their successes will show what they do - integrate biological and cultural control of pests into their production systems, provide on-farm habitats for beneficial insects, and use soil-building practices." 

Ross says the intended results of these partnership projects are to help farmers maintain yields and quality while protecting natural and human resources by reducing their reliance on agricultural chemicals, including pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

Conference participants will have the opportunity to interact with farmers, scientists, farm advisors, industry personnel and officials from government agencies involved in sustainable agriculture and the implementation of biologically integrated farming systems at speaker sessions, panel discussions and hands-on workshops.

Topics will include reduced-risk production practices, marketing issues in biological farming, soil fertility and management, how to balance environmental and social interests, policy issues, partnership approaches, project evaluation and monitoring, and funding opportunities.

The conference runs Tuesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Heidrick Ag History Center, 1962 Hays Lane, Woodland, Calif. Registration is $125 and includes conference material, reception and lunches. For more information about program content, contact David Chaney, UC SAREP at (530) 754-8551 or email at dechaney@ucdavis.edu; or Ann Thrupp, U.S. EPA at (415) 744-1983, or email at thrupp.loriann@epa.gov. To register for the conference or for registration information, contact University Extension, UC Davis at (800) 752-0881 or visit the web sites at www.universityextension.ucdavis.edu and www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/agpartners.

Co-sponsors of this multi-stakeholder forum include SAREP, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, USDA Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE), Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, California Association of Winegrape Growers, California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Integrated Waste Management Board, California Prune Board, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission, California Agricultural Working Group, and the Almond Board of California.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For a conference agenda and speaker's list, please call Kristin Mick at (530) 757-8753 or email kmick@unexmail.ucdavis.edu.