Soil Quality Conference ~ 10th Annual
"Celebrating Ten Years of the Best in Agriculture"
February 28 & 29, 2012 - 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
At the Bangor Motor Inn, Hogan Road, Bangor, Maine
A dozen years ago, Heart of Maine moved into a brand new millennium with a commitment to bring the best information available to Maine farmers dedicated to learning the best farming practices for the 21st century. We have concentrated on soil, bringing to Maine the most forward-thinking researchers and farmers from all over the US to speak on the critical importance of building and maintaining biologically healthy soils.
Soil is where farming begins. Without healthy soil, there are no healthy farms and no healthy people.
In 2012, we are reaffirming that commitment. The two-day conference on February 28 & 29, will present recent research into the long-term effects of transgenic crops (both forages and crops for human consumption grown from Round-Up Ready™ seed) on Day One; on Day Two we focus on numbers - how many farms Maine needs to feed our population the best food we can grow and what will it cost.
Creating a local food supply of healthy, nutrient dense food for Maine consumers is the goal of the effort we at Heart of Maine put into the annual Soils Conference – the forum to bring Maine farmers the information they need to produce that food. Please join us!
Our key speaker, Dr. Michael J. McNeill, is part of the research community that tried to convince the United States Department of Agriculture last year to hold off on the certification of transgenic alfalfa until further study. Their research showed the presence of a dangerous new pathogen directly related to Round-Up Ready™ corn and soybean used for animal feeds. The possibility of contaminating alfalfa, the country's main forage crop, with the pathogen was viewed as a very serious threat to US agriculture, and human health. The USDA was not convinced and RR alfalfa was approved; RR alfalfa, corn, soybeans and canola are all being grown here in Maine.
All consumers concerned with nutrition and all farmers concerned with the integrity of the crops and livestock they raise will have a direct interest in Dr. McNeill’s presentation.
View Conference Information Online
Registration Information
Conference Location: Bangor Motor Inn
701 Hogan Road (Exit
187) Bangor, Maine
(800) 244-0355 or (207) 947-0355
The Bangor Motor Inn is offering a discounted room rate for conference attendees.
| "Early Bird Registration" - on or before February 15 | $80.00 | REGISTER NOW |
| Regular Registration | $90.00 | |
| Second Person from the same farm | $60.00 | |
| Students who register in advance (must present student ID at door) |
$45.00 |
Fee includes handouts, refreshments and lunch each day. Meals, as always, are a special feature of this event and feature great food from our best farmers.
Pesticide Applicator Credits may be available for this event.