The Schenectady County League of Women Voters is holding a series of forums looking at the importance of agriculture and the future of the family farm.
The National League of Women Voters plans a national series of conversations on sustainable agriculture focusing on genetically modified crops, pesticide use and industrial farming. The Schenectady County League of Women Voters decided it would look at the local farm economy. Three sessions are reviewing the challenges and opportunities, programs and policies and sustainable farming in the global economy. League of Women Voters’ Environment Committee Chair Ruth Bonn hopes the series helps individuals understand the challenges farmers face.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Schenectady County Executive Director Chris Logue owns the Austin Road Farm. He will moderate the panel discussion on programs and policies affecting local farmers.
Green Mountain College Farm Manager and Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Dr. Kenneth Mulder will present the series’ keynote on sustainable farming during the third session.
Although there has been growth in the local food movement and community supported agriculture, Ruth Bonn says too many people do not understand where food comes from.
The remaining sessions of the “Sustainable Agriculture: Why Should We Care About Local Farms?” series will be held Thursday March 28th and April 11th at 7 p.m. at the Schenectady County Library.
