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November 3rd, 2010

What a season it has been!  With input from our members and a strong new strategic plan, Future Harvest-CASA focused on four key areas in 2010: Education, Consumers, Partners, and Advocacy.  Educationally, we hosted or partnered on 8 field days that supported over 500 Chesapeake farmers throughout the region.  For consumers, we've just released a brand new updated version of Amazing Grazing, a one-of-a-kind resource connecting consumers to local grass-fed animal farmers.  We've connected with partner organizations including PASA, Maryland Wineries Association, the New Farmer Trainee Program, and ECO (Engaged Community Offshoots), and participated in food policy workgroups and advisory councils on behalf of sustainable farmers throughout the Chesapeake region.

As we end the season, we look forward with great excitement to the Future Harvest-CASA Annual Conference, "What We Eat- Community Health Through Sustainable Farming".  Our upcoming conference will be held on January 14-15 at the Pearlstone Center in Reisterstown, MD, and will feature nationally acclaimed sustainable agriculture leader Fred Kirschenmann as the keynote speaker.  The conference will also feature five focused tracks: Sustainable Fruits & Vegetables, Grass-based Systems, Value-added/Profitability, Urban Agriculture, and Sustainable Communities.  We are very grateful to all our sponsors for supporting the conference, and look forward to a great turnout for this wonderful event.

With such wonderful accomplishments in 2010 and such an exciting upcoming conference around the corner, now is the time to get involved!  Attend the conference, join Future Harvest-CASA as a member, and receive updates and membership benefits throughout the year.  As our organization grows, we need the support of sustainable farmers throughout the Chesapeake region-including Maryland, Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware.  So join us and become part of the local food revolution!

Peace,

Jakir

Jakir Manela
Future Harvest President
Kayam Farm Director, Pearlstone Center, Reisterstown, MD