SPECIAL EVENTS

The Media & Action Center

Get connected and get involved! Once again the Surf & Sand Living Room room will provide computers, web-access, and meeting space.  For 2012, the Media & Action Center will also feature workshops, one-on-one tech assistance, and more. Join us on Wednesday evening at the Media & Action Center opening reception with
drinks and beautiful photography from The Lexicon of Sustainability.

Visit www.eco-farm.org for the latest news about The Media & Action Center.  While you’re there, why not follow and friend us too?

EcoFarm Healing Center

The EcoFarm Healing Center going on throughout the conference. Please visit EcoFarm’s Healing Center where you will be welcomed by a variety of health practitioners to aid you in attaining complete well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.

Massage, bodywork, herbal, nutritional counseling, and other types of holistic practices will be available for a reasonable fee. Yoga will also be offered at various times.

If you wish to participate as a healer contact EcoFarm at 831-763-2111.

Wednesday, February 1

Media and Action Center Opening Reception and Art Show
10:00pm - 11:30pm, Surf and Sand Living Room

Unwind and have a drink surrounded by beautiful photography of ecological foodies and farmers hard at work in The Lexicon of Sustainability!  The foremost practitioners of sustainability in food and farming have shared their experiences and contributed their words to the group’s rapidly growing sustainable food and farming dictionary. To spread their knowledge The Lexicon of Sustainability’s photography project has grown to include short films, study guides, traveling shows, a book and a website where people can add their own terms to this ever-evolving lexicon. www.lexiconofsustainability.com.
Hosted by Planet Inc. and Medlock Ames.

Thursday, February 2

Artisan Cheese and Beer Tasting
12:00pm – 2:00pm, in the tent

During the extra-long lunch hour, sample organic, hand-made cheese and beer varieties with host Sheana Davis from The Epicurean Connection! Roam the exhibitor area for refreshments, samples, information and the goods and services you need.  $10 admission.
Hosted by The Epicurean Connection, Uncommon Brewers, & New Leaf Community Markets

Farm and Garden Educators' Mixer
5:00pm - 6:30pm

Farmers and educators working with K-12 children are invited to come share their questions, concerns and successes at this annual mixer. We will share relevant resources, discuss funding ideas and more.  Refreshments will be served!
Hosted by Organically Grown Company

EcoFarm Wine Tasting
5:30pm, Merrill Hall

It’s an EcoFarm tradition! Come taste premium wines made from organic grapes by outstanding vintners. The reception will be a social and networking opportunity for growers, distributors, and all wine appreciators. Pre-register for $20 or pay $30 at the door for a chance to sample the choice offerings of the finest wineries in the West. The fee includes a commemorative wine glass.

Linking Current and Future Farmers
5:30pm – 6:30pm

Farmers young and old will mingle and discuss opportunities for leasing, purchasing, apprenticing, mentoring and cropsharing. Learn more about how California FarmLink and World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms–USA, can help you meet the farm or farmer you’ve been looking for.
Hosted by WWOOF–USA & California FarmLink

UCSC CASFS Farm & Garden Apprenticeship Mixer
5:30pm - 7:00pm 

Join apprentice alumni, staff of the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, and others for a mixer and to see and use the new Apprenticeship Alumni website.
Hosted by CASFS

Landscapers Unite!
7:30pm - 9:30pm

Mixer for Ecological Landscape gardeners. A chance to network with your peers and find out the latest news in the ecological landscape world.  Learn about cutting edge trends and techniques to meet the challenges of ecological landscaping.
Hosted by Ken Foster, Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping

15th Annual Seed Swap
7:30pm - 10:00pm

You can help preserve our genetic resources! Do you want to expand the biodiversity of your farm or garden? Many seeds of non-hybrid, non-engineered varieties will be available to trade at our 15th annual Seed Swap.  Please don’t forget to bring seeds to share! Make sure everything is labeled, and please bring your own containers for seeds.
Hosted by the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC).

UC SAREP 25 Years!         
8:00pm - 10:00pm

The UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program has funded more than 350 projects focused on sustainable agriculture and food systems since the California State Legislature mandated the program’s establishment in 1986. Join us as we celebrate 25 years of sharing the science behind sustainability!
Hosted by UC SAREP

Beginning Farmer Rancher Mixer
8:00pm – 9:30pm

EcoFarm has been a meeting place for many over the last 30 years. Enjoy live music, conversation and refreshments. It’s a great place to meet other people with common interests. All are welcome.
Hosted by The Farm Credit’s Young, Beginning and Small Farmers and Ranchers Program

Film: Queen of the Sun
8:00pm

There are three additional films being show throughout the Conference. Check out your program!

Talent Show
9:00pm

2012 marks the return of the infamous EcoFarm Talent Show!  Creative and clever EcoFarm attendees will make us laugh, cry and rise up in joy to win the elusive, yet-to-be-determined Grand Prize (past prizes have included dinner at the French Laundry in SF and a trip to Hawaii, so this is a big deal!).  Each person or group will be given 5 minutes on stage to impress, entertain or educate.  Our panel of expert judges will give extra points if your performance is related to farming.  So start planning your act now and stay tuned for more details on the Grand Prize! 

Friday, February 3

Cal Poly Mixer
5:30pm – 7:00pm

Everyone’s invited - especially Cal Poly grads and Central Coast residents.
Hosted by CAFES Center for Sustainability

EcoFarm Awards Ceremony
5:00 - 6:30pm

Every year EcoFarm celebrates giants in the sustainable agriculture community. The Steward of Sustainable Agriculture (SUSTIE) awards long-term accomplishments and the JUSTIE honors advocates for Social Justice in Sustainable Agriculture. For the first time, we’re celebrating in Merrill Hall, where we can accommodate more guests. Refreshments will be served.
Hosted by the Organic Farming Research Foundation

EcoFarm Dance!
9:30 PM

Live music performed by Bay Area-based Hot Buttered Rum!