Missouri organic conference Feb. 4-6 in Springfield

The Missouri Organic Association (MOA), a non-profit all volunteer organization, is gearing up for its 2016 Annual Conference to be held February 4 - 6 at the University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield, Mo. This educational event will be the seventh annual regional conference hosted by the Missouri Organic Association.

Beginning as a local state conference in 2010, this event has evolved into a mid-America regional conference with participants attending from Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma. MOA invites other states to mark their calendars for the first weekend of February and join the excitement that is MOA Annual Conference 2016.

Keynote speakers for the MOA Annual Conference 2016 are Dr. Arden Andersen, presenting on “Healthy Soils, Healthy Bodies,” and Dr. John Ikerd addressing "Healthy Soils, Healthy Economies, Healthy Communities.” 

Sue Baird, MOA Executive Director, welcomes everyone to attend. “This conference is not just for farmers and producers who attend to learn the latest 21st century farming practices,” she said. “It is for anyone concerned about independent food sources, rising health issues in our children, supporting sustainable family farms, environmental issues and solution-based philosophies of biological and organic growing practices. Everyone will have something to gain from this conference.”

New for this year, MOA will host a special “Consumer Health Education Day” on Saturday, February 6, featuring medical and health experts who will discuss the link between the foods we eat and the health of our bodies. Also on Saturday, MOA will have a special networking event, "Meet the Wholesalers"  — connecting organic producers to regional and national food store buyers, marketing managers, chefs, food distributors and others that will help producers grow their businesses.

MOA Annual  Conference 2016 will have more than 54 educational sessions and hands-on workshops focused on organic and sustainable agriculture including: grain production, livestock production, vegetable production, high-tunnel small fruits and vegetable production, sustainable living skills, culinary and medicinal plants and a whole lot more.  Network and learn from 70+vendors.

Friday night's "Throw Down at the Hoedown Top Chef Challenge" features chefs from St. Louis, Springfield, Kansas City and Columbia all competing for the MOA Top Chef award. The cooking competition is followed by the MOA Hoedown, a good ole country celebration, with bluegrass music, a cake walk, pie auction and a photo booth to commemorate your attendance at MOA Annual Conference 2016.

Agendas: MOA Annual Conference 2016 agendas are available at www.moaconference.org.

Fees: An individual three-day conference registration fee that includes meals and events is only $175. Or, grab a friend and take advantage of our 'Double Deal" discount...the second registration fee is 50% off!  If you can't attend all three days, a single day registration fee is $75 and the "Double Deal" discount applies on single day registrations too. To register, go to www.moaconference.org.  

Accomodations: Hotel reservations are available at a special MOA Conference block price of $84 (+ tax) per night at The University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Springfield.  Mention you are part of MOA Annual Conference to get this special rate.