[Pil-pc-oceania] ACGFCGN fourth national conference

[pacific-edge]

Here it is! The event of the community garden year - the 4th Annual
Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network Conference
(incorporating
the 19th Annual Seed Savers¹ Network Conference).

WHEN: 20-25 March 2007

WHERE: Collingwood Town Hall, Melbourne

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
    *  Dr. Vandana Shiva & Helena Norberg-Hodge, International perspectives
on food security
    * David Holmgren, Permaculture, energy descent and food security
    * Mick Marston, UK Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens
    * Malaika Edwards, Co-founder People¹s Grocery, Oakland USA
    * Jude & Michel Fanton, Seed Savers' Network
    * Gardening Australia presenter Jerry Coleby-Williams, Sustainable urban
gardening 

CONFERENCE THEMES ACROSS FOUR DAYS INCLUDE:

    * School Gardens
    * Seed Savers
    * Food Security
    * City Farms & Community Gardens

MORE INFORMATION: 
flyer, poster, registration, costs and accommodation guide at...
http://www.communitygarden.org.au/events/conference_07/

REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ENQUIRIES:

    * phone CERES (03) 9387 2609
    * reception at ceres.org.au
    * www.ceres.org.au

SUMMARY OF COSTS (see registration form for details):
To qualify for early bird deal full payment must be received by 1st March
2007, so register soon.
Options                                 Price
4 day pass Early Bird* (Business)       $380
4 day pass  (Business)                  $440
4 day pass Early Bird*                  $180
4 day pass                              $220
Saturday Bus Tour                       $20
CERES Harvest Festival Meal             $25
CERES Harvest Festival Conc             $19

----------------------------------------
THE PROGRAM...

Day 1: School Gardens Tuesday 20th March
The School Gardens day of the conference will focus on bringing people
together who are interested in furthering their own school garden projects
and those starting from scratch.

Day 2: Seed Savers¹ Wednesday 21st March
For millennia, our ancestors have selected and saved seeds of the precious
food species that we enjoy eating today. During the 20th Century, however,
this seed diversity has been eroded by the corporatisation of the food
system. Many people aware of these issues are now actively working in their
communities to preserve the genetic heritage of these seeds. Find out about
what¹s happening globally and locally, as we journey with Jude and Michel of
the Seed Savers¹ Network, local seed saving groups and a variety of
different workshops and presenters who will share their knowledge of seed
issues and projects, seed saving experiences, and the beauty of seeds and
the seed cycle.

Day 3: Food Security Thursday 22nd March
What is Food Security, and what does it really mean? On this day of the
conference we explore the many issues that impact on people¹s access to
fresh, affordable food, beginning with the global food perspective, and
teasing out the threads of social and environmental justice. In an era of
decreasing energy and climate change how are we preparing to feed ourselves
in the future?

Day 4: City Farms & Community Gardens Friday 23rd March City farms &
community gardens are on the increase, as communities continue to reclaim
common land for sharing in the age-old production of food close to home.
Especially in the city where land is at a premium, the city farms &
community garden movement is crucial to ensuring that we both protect and
lobby for garden space to grow food in our cities. Find out about what new
community garden projects and urban farms are happening, and hear from the
community gardeners themselves. Discover and share the myriad benefits of
community gardening through stories, hands-on workshops and great
presentations. Our Keynote presenter for this day will be Mick Marston, who
works for both the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and The
Soils Association in the UK.

Day 5: Garden tours Saturday 24th March
Get-up, shake yer booty and come along for the ride! On this day there will
be two garden tours, one visiting a number of different city farm &
community garden projects, and the second, school gardens around Melbourne.
Each garden is unique and particular to the needs of the community that use
it. Be inspired and feast your eyes on the wealth of creative horticultural
passion and innovation these gardens display.

Day 5: Saturday Night Party @ VegOut, St Kilda!
Come and relax amongst plots of veggies, flowers, sculptures, chooks and
enjoy a boogie, great food, great music and great company at one of
Melbourne¹s most famous community gardens.

Day 6: CERES Harvest Festival Sunday 25th March Now that you¹ve spent the
week immersed in the world of urban agriculture, globally and locally, relax
and join in the CERES Harvest Festival where you can experience first-hand
the foods of cross-cultural Melbourne, and the bounty of nature. Don¹t
forget to book your place at the Harvest dinner table.




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PO Box 1045, Manly, NSW 1655 AUSTRALIA info at pacific-edge.info
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Australian City Farms & Community Gardens Network www.communitygarden.org.au
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