The Kansas Rural Center has released a full agenda for their 2014 Farm and Food Conference and 35th Anniversary Celebration to take place Nov. 7 and 8, at the Four Points Sheraton, 530 Richards Drive in Manhattan.  
This year’s program, “Sustainable Agriculture: A Once and Future Vision,” will reflect the future of agriculture, food, and community in Kansas and our region by showcasing nationally renowned keynote speakers, offering 24 workshops lead by over 35 expert speakers, and hosting a celebration night complete with entertainment and Kansas raised food.
The full program agenda can be accessed online at http://kansasruralcenter.org/2014-conference-agenda/.
The agenda features a full listing of workshops and speakers that will provide inspiring ideas, helpful information and valuable connections for attendees, ranging from practical farm management, diversification and transition strategies, to community and school gardening. Experts including farmers, extension agents, college professors, community leaders, and many others from all over Kansas and neighboring states will be presenting on the topics featured.  
KRC will host a Social Hour and 35th Anniversary Dinner Celebration on Friday evening. The celebration will feature live music, locally sourced food and beverages, and a silent auction featuring Kansas artisans, goods and service. The night will also include a book-signing to benefit KRC, featuring authors Bryan Welch of Mother Earth News, Hank Will of Grit magazine, Jane Marshall of KSU, Joy Lominska of KRC, and more.
The dinner celebration will be opened by former KRC Executive Director, Dan Nagengast who will provide a light hearted history of KRC and introduce the evening’s Keynote speaker, Bryan Welch, editor and publisher for Mother Earth News.  “Beautiful and Abundant: The Future of the Sustainability Movement” will be the topic of Welch’s talk.  
Following is the full list of this year’s keynote speakers.
Fred Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellow at Iowa’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and President of Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in New York, will speak about alternative paradigms for the future of agriculture.
Ricardo Salvador, Senior Scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists and Director of its Food & Environment Programs, will address the impact of global realities on the future of food.
Bob Dixson, Mayor of Greensburg will explore perspectives on the development of healthy, sustainable communities, especially regarding the inclusion of sustainable farming and food.
Hattie Mitchell, CPA and Treasurer of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, will share perspectives on the future of sustainable community food solutions and health within the Potawatomi Nation.   
Bryan Welch, Editor and Publisher, Mother Earth News, will keynote KRC’s 35th Anniversary Dinner on Friday night of the conference.
Julie Mettenburg, Executive Director of KRC, will address the question of who will farm in the future, and land stewardship in a time of transition.
KRC welcomes sponsors, local food and beverage donations and auction items. Proceeds will benefit KRC’s future work in growing a sustainable farming and food system in Kansas. Information on all of these opportunities can be found at kansasruralcenter.org/calendar/conference-2014.  
KRC invites farmers, ranchers, food enthusiasts, community advocates and more to attend its 2014 Farm & Food Conference and 35th Anniversary Celebration.
Cost to attend the conference is $55 per day, $45 for a 35th Anniversary Dinner ticket or $145 for both days and the dinner. Registration for each day includes lunch featuring local ingredients and snacks. For special student rates, contact Natalie Fullerton at nfullerton@kansasruralcenter.org or 402-310-0177.
To attend the conference, register before Nov. 3, at kansasruralcenter.org/calendar/conference-2014.
The mission of KRC, founded in 1979, is to promote the long-term health of the land and its people through research, education and advocacy that advance an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially just food and farming system. For more information, visit www.kansasruralcenter.org.