Feeding Ourselves in the Future: A Journalist's Workshop on the Science and Policy of Food

Objectives:

To host an inaugural workshop to present fundamental scientific and policy information about agriculture and food, and the relationship between food production and the environment. The workshop will provide professional journalists with access to scholars in agronomy, environmental science, economics and policy, and will allow them to explore the costs and benefits of alternative practices and policies. This program will present a systems view of US agriculture to stimulate increased attention to food and food production and improved media coverage of sustainable food systems.

Location and Dates:

Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota, June 4-6 2006

Core Workshop Events & Activities:

Keynote Address

Overview of major economic, environmental, and policy implications of food and food production systems.

Science panel addressing issues such as:

  • Environmental impacts of conventional agriculture
  • Energy from ethanol and biodiesel
  • Food production and obesity
  • Genetically-modified organisms and food/environmental safety

Economics Panel focusing on these and other issues:

  • Farm income and rural communities
  • Agricultural subsidies
  • Alternative food production business models

Food Panel will highlight these and similar trends:

  • Cooperatives, CSAs and other locally-grown initiatives
  • Organic and other certification programs

Policy Panel will discuss these and other policy issues:

  • Farm bill 2007
  • Conservation Reserve Program
  • International trade

Story Pitching

Attendees will participate in a story pitching session with their colleagues and
editors at the conclusion of the workshop.

 

See a full list of speakers and an updated agenda for the workshop.